Srinagar, April 25: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Srinagar on Friday to express serious concerns over rising incidents of harassment, intimidation, and threat calls being received by Kashmiri students studying in various parts of the country.
Led by the Association’s National Convenor Nasir Khuehami, the delegation held a detailed one-on-one meeting with Rahul Gandhi that lasted over 30 minutes. Khuehami apprised the senior Congress leader of the growing insecurity and psychological stress among Kashmiri students, particularly during politically charged events and amid polarising rhetoric.
Khuehami urged the Congress leader to initiate urgent and time-bound measures to ensure the safety, dignity, and mental well-being of students from Jammu and Kashmir. He called for institutional safeguards to prevent profiling, ensure their protection on university campuses, and establish efficient redressal mechanisms to address distress cases swiftly.
Expressing concern, Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned the recent spate of targeted incidents against Kashmiri students, saying, “It is very important that all of us stand together, stay united, and fight this nasty and divisive mindset. We must defeat hate in all its forms and confront terrorism with unity, not by targeting the innocent.”
Calling the attacks “deeply unfortunate,” Gandhi said, “Some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in different parts of the country. These are fringe elements with no place in our society. Kashmiris are an integral part of India — their rights, dignity, and safety are non-negotiable. This climate of fear must end.”
Gandhi assured the delegation of prompt intervention and said he would personally raise the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “Those who harass or intimidate Kashmiri students without any cause must face the full force of the law. FIRs must be filed, and the culprits detained. We must set a precedent that this kind of hate will not be tolerated,” he asserted.
The Association reiterated that education must not become a casualty of prejudice and called for a safe and inclusive academic environment that allows Kashmiri students to pursue their dreams without fear or discrimination.