Convener News Desk
Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 01: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking urgent intervention into what it described as systematic harassment, intimidation and violence against Kashmiri shawl sellers and students across several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Maharashtra.
In a detailed representation addressed to NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, the association said that more than a dozen incidents targeting Kashmiri traders and students have been reported in the last ten days alone, indicating a pattern of targeted hostility rather than isolated incidents.
According to the JKSA, Kashmiri shawl sellers—many of whom have been engaged in the trade for two to three decades—have been threatened, physically assaulted, forced to chant slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and even issued death threats in several places. The association also alleged that traders’ belongings were looted or vandalised, and mobile phones were damaged when victims attempted to record the attacks.
JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said the organisation has documented cases from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, as well as Mumbai and Delhi. He added that Kashmiri students have also faced harassment, including denial of accommodation in New Delhi, verbal abuse in Mumbai, and intimidation that has caused severe psychological distress.
“Targeting innocent Kashmiri traders and students only deepens alienation and mistrust, which is exactly what hostile forces seek to exploit. Kashmiris are not outsiders; they are equal citizens of India, entitled to the same rights, freedoms and protections under the Constitution,” Khuehami said.
While acknowledging that timely intervention by authorities in some states helped ensure the safety of Kashmiri students and traders, the association said the situation in Himachal Pradesh remains deeply disturbing. It alleged that despite repeated representations and assurances, incidents continue to recur, with little concrete action on the ground.
“In many cases, FIRs have not been promptly registered, arrests have not followed, and no visible deterrent measures have been put in place. This continued inaction has emboldened miscreants and created an atmosphere of fear, leaving vulnerable traders at the mercy of mobs instead of the protection of the rule of law,” the association stated.
The JKSA has urged the NHRC to seek detailed reports from the Chief Ministers and Directors General of Police of the concerned states on reported incidents, FIRs registered, arrests made, prosecutions initiated and preventive measures taken. It has also called for strict enforcement of the law, accountability for official lapses, and the establishment of credible security and monitoring mechanisms to protect Kashmiri traders and students.
Emphasising the broader implications, the association said that safeguarding the safety, dignity and constitutional rights of Kashmiri shawl sellers, students and their families is essential to restore confidence, prevent further alienation and reaffirm the Union Government’s commitment to protecting every citizen.
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