Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh condemns *killings, but refuses to give it communal colour
MANDI: BJP MP from Mandi and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has stirred a fresh political storm with her bold remarks following the brutal terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
The first-time parliamentarian from Himachal Pradesh took to Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) morning, expressing her grief and anger in an unfiltered post that directly linked the attack to religious targeting.
Among few politicians to collect killings to religion
“Terrorism has a religion, so do the victims,” she wrote, calling out the attackers for their cowardice. Labeling the terrorists as “napunsaks”, Kangana said they fired at innocent people who had nothing in their hands to defend themselves. “Battles are fought on battlefields, not with unarmed civilians,” she said.
Kangana is among the few politicians to publicly connect the attack to a specific religious agenda, a move that has drawn both support and criticism.
Vikramaditya calls it highly unfortunate, shameful act
Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh said: “Tourists were reportedly asked their religion before being shot”
Speaking exclusively to TNR, the senior Congress leader also condemned the incident in strongest terms, though he refrained from linking it to any religion.
“This is a highly unfortunate and shameful act. What’s even more disturbing is that the victims were reportedly asked their religion before being shot. That’s deeply troubling,” said Vikramaditya.
He said that this kind of selective violence was an “attack on the very fabric of our country”. “No religion teaches this. Such acts of hatred must be condemned by all, regardless of political or religious leanings,” he said.
Vikramaditya’s remarks focused on the human loss and the moral collapse behind the attack. “Targeting people based on identity is the lowest form of violence. We must respond with unity, not division,” he said.
Divided political response on religious connect
While Kangana’s post has drawn praise from some for “calling out the truth”, others have criticised her for what they see as adding a communal angle to a national tragedy.
In contrast, Vikramaditya Singh’s balanced yet firm reaction has resonated with many who believe in addressing terrorism without inflaming religious tensions.
Munish Sood
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