The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left the nation in shock. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of 28 people has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger from across the country. The attack, which took place at the scenic Baisaran meadow, left both Bollywood and television personalities deeply saddened. However, the reaction from some of the stars has sparked controversy, particularly actor Karan Veer Mehra’s response.
Karan, who won Bigg Boss 18, shared a poetry video expressing his anger over the Pahalgam terror attack and the suspension of the Indus Valley treaty. In the video, Karan recited a poem condemning the violence, but his words quickly drew criticism. Television actor Kushal Tandon took to his Instagram Stories to share a screenshot of Karan’s video and publicly slammed him. Kushal’s jibe was harsh as he commented, “AREEE BHAI ISKEEE BATHROOM KA PANI BAND KARVAO. AUR PAKISTAN KI TICKET KARVAO.”
In response to the mounting criticism, Karan addressed the controversy through his own Instagram Stories. He shared a long message in which he defended the intent behind his poem. Karan explained that the poem aimed to break the chain of hate and promote peace, despite the ongoing violence. He wrote, “An eye for an eye will NOT leave the whole world blind, the last person will still have one eye, & we all know who that last person might be. But the real question is, would YOU rather break the chain of hate and make the world a better place? That’s exactly what my poem meant.”
Karan further expressed his condolences to the families affected by the attack, acknowledging the immense pain and loss they had experienced. He stated, “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the Pahalgam attack. May the perpetrators face the strongest punishment they deserve. We are not scared. We are not afraid.” He also shared a quote from actor Suniel Shetty, “Agli chutti Kashmir mein (Next holiday will be in Pahalgam).” This seemed to be an effort to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
On Wednesday, Karan posted another video of his poem, which had gained virality after being shared by actor Ashutosh Rana at an event. In the video, Karan recited lines that called for unity despite religious differences, with the poem expressing that the true division was not between religions but in humanity. The lines included, “Baat diya iss dharti ko, Kya chand-sitaaron ka hoga? Nadiyon ko kuch naam diye, behti dharon ka kya hoga? Shiv ki Ganga bhi paani hai, aabe zam zam bhi paani hai. Pandit bhi piye Maulla bhi piye, toh paani ka majhab kya hoga?” The poem continued by emphasizing that, “Ek hai suraj, chand hai ek, ek hawa mein saans hai sabki,” referring to the universal nature of humanity and the need to unite in the face of adversity.
— Karan Veer Mehra (@KaranVeerMehra) April 23, 2025
While Karan’s poem aimed to convey a message of unity, it has left many viewers divided, with some praising his call for peace, while others criticize the timing and tone of the message. The attack in Pahalgam is still fresh in everyone’s minds, and for many, the focus on personal experiences, no matter how well-intentioned, feels out of place.
