Jammu, June 13: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken note of incidents involving harassment and attacks on Kashmiri shawl sellers and students across various parts of the country. This action follows a complaint filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). The complaint details alleged threats, harassment, discrimination, and physical assaults faced by Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in several Indian states.
The complaint was lodged earlier this year by JKSA’s National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, after reports emerged from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. It highlighted incidents where Kashmiri shawl sellers were reportedly attacked, threatened, humiliated, and obstructed from conducting their business. In some cases, they were forced to leave areas where they had peacefully lived and worked for decades.
Additionally, many Kashmiri students reported difficulties in finding accommodation, being targeted on communal grounds, and facing intimidation and physical threats. The NHRC had previously accepted the complaint and assigned it a diary number, confirming that the case has been formally recorded. The registration of the case marks a significant step in the NHRC’s investigation into the issues raised by the association.
This situation has arisen amidst ongoing violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination faced by Kashmiri students and shawl sellers in various states. Despite repeated appeals by the JKSA to different state administrations and law enforcement agencies, many affected individuals continue to live in fear and uncertainty, with several traders compelled to shut down their businesses and return home.
The association stated that the NHRC will issue notices to the relevant state governments and request detailed reports from the concerned administrations and police officials regarding the incidents mentioned in the complaint. These reports are expected to include the status of registered FIRs, arrests made, actions taken against the accused, measures adopted to prevent such incidents, and steps taken to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students and traders residing in those states.
The association expressed hope that the NHRC will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents and recommend appropriate measures to safeguard the security, dignity, livelihood, and constitutional rights of Kashmiri citizens living and working outside Jammu and Kashmir. They also urged the commission to hold accountable those responsible for negligence in addressing complaints and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.
The association emphasized that Kashmiris are equal citizens of India and are entitled to all rights, freedoms, and protections guaranteed under the Constitution. They asserted that in a democratic and constitutional society governed by the rule of law, there is no place for violence, discrimination, intimidation, or social ostracism against any citizen based on identity, region, religion, or attire.
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