Amid ‘harassment’ of Kashmiris, J&K students’ assn seeks CM’s help

Condemning the alleged reports of profiling, harassment, intimidation and sudden eviction faced by Kashmiri shawl-sellers and students in Himachal Pradesh, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has sought the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in this matter and order an impartial inquiry. They have also urged the CM to direct the administration to halt any form of discriminatory conduct.

The association has also urged the CM to ensure the safety, dignity and rights of Kashmiri shawl-sellers and students, safeguard their accommodation and prevent any actions that could fuel mistrust or communal tension.

National convener of the association, Nasir Khuehami, said that Kashmiri shawl-sellers have alleged that local panchayat authorities, right-wing groups and certain individuals are forcibly checking their bags under unfounded suspicions of containing weapons or explosives.

“Vendors have reported being restricted from moving freely without prior verification from the panchayat and local police, creating an atmosphere of fear, insecurity and unnecessary hurdles to their livelihood. Parallel to this, Kashmiri students in various states have reported aggressive verification drives, intimidating questioning, disturbances in hostels and hostile behaviour from certain local residents. Some students have even been asked to vacate their accommodations without notice, forcing many to consider returning home out of fear. Such sweeping suspicion and discriminatory treatment undermine their safety, dignity and right to live and study peacefully,” he said.

Khuehami further said that these reprehensible actions risk inciting anti-Muslim sentiments, harming communal harmony and damaging the social fabric that binds India’s diverse communities together.

“It is essential that strong instructions are issued to ensure that no citizen is harassed or profiled on the basis of identity or region. Such behaviour must not go unchecked and strict legal action against those responsible will send a clear message that communal bigotry has no place in an inclusive and progressive society,” he remarked.

“Swift measures are essential to restore confidence among students and traders so they can continue to live, work and study without fear,” he said.