In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, several Kashmiris across Indian states have been subject to threats and harassment. As per reports, Kashmiri students, traders and professionals living outside the union territory have raised their concerns regarding the increasing levels of threats.
In Uttarakhand, the police was called to intervene after a threat video issued by the Hindu Raksha Dal called on Kashmiri Muslims in the state to leave.
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As per The Indian Express, Lalit Sharma, a Hindu Raksha Dal leader, can be heard threatening Kashmir muslims in Uttarakhand to leave or "face action."
“The incident in Pahalgam has hurt us… If we see any Kashmiri Muslim in the state after 10 am tomorrow, we will give them the right treatment. Tomorrow, all our workers will leave their homes to give this treatment to Kashmiri Muslims. We won’t wait for the government to take action… Kashmiri Muslims, leave by 10 am, else you will face action you can’t imagine," he was quoted as saying.
Following this, Dehradun police stated they have amped up security and taken down around 25 "inciting" posts from social media.
In Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, a senior journalist was hospitalised after he was allegedly assaulted for covering a protest by BJP supporters and members in the area.
As per a PTI report, the Dainik Jagran reporter was allegedly assaulted for "speaking separatist language" and questioning the security lapse, which comes under the domain of the Home Ministry.
In Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the Jammu and Kashmir Students association stated they received distress calls from students and youth working in the city. As per the statement issued by the J&K Student Association, Kashmiri students and youth studying and working in Prayagraj, called and stated that "Landlords are asking them to vacate immediately, citing security concerns.
"Some have already left under pressure. This is alarming. Prayagraj is a sensitive region, and there are growing fears of harassment and profiling. We request that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath act immediately. Fringe elements must not be allowed to target innocent Kashmiris. Their safety, dignity, and right to reside anywhere in India must be protected," they added.
In view of the distress calls, the J&K Resident Commission in New Delhi has issued helpline numbers in case of any help or assistance.
PDP President and former CM Mehbooba Mufti also raised concerns and reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take action to protect Kashmiris facing intimidation.
"Spoke with Home Minister @AmitShahji to extend my deepest condolences & also express solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack. Also requested him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students & traders across various states," she said on X.
People's Conference President Sajid Lone also raised concerns and said - "There have been many incidents across the country wherein Kashmiri students are being harassed, beaten up, bullied and even asked to vacate their residential premises. I request the union government to please ensure the safety of Kashmiri students.”
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah also took to X and stated that the state government is in touch with the respective Chief Ministers of the states from where the distress calls of Kahsmiri students are coming from.
Nasir Khuehami, the president of the J&K Students Association also stated that the group is in touch with Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi
"I have been informed that, he will raise the issue with the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, demanding their immediate intervention to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students across the country.
Similar reports have surfaced from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab where Hindu right-wing groups are targeting Kashmiri students in the states.
As per a Maktoob report, Kashmiri students at Arni University in Himachal were harassed, abused and labelled as "terrorists" by Hindutva mobs.
"Hostel doors are being forcefully broken down, and students are being intimidated, labelled as ‘Atankwadi’ (terrorists), and coerced to vacate their accommodation under threats and violence,” said Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.
