Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday condemned the alarming reports of profiling, harassment, intimidation, and sudden eviction faced by Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in Himachal Pradesh.
The Association has sought the immediate intervention of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
In a statement here, JKSA 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 carrying 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, JKSA said, 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, JKSA said.
It said these reprehensible actions risk inciting anti-Muslim sentiments, harming communal harmony, and damaging the social fabric that binds India’s diverse communities together.
The Association urged the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to intervene immediately, order an impartial inquiry, and direct the administration to halt any form of discriminatory conduct.
“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,” JKSA said.
It said Kashmiri students and traders have been living, studying, and working peacefully across India for years. They firmly believe in India’s democracy, pluralism, and constitutional values, and they have consistently rejected terrorism and secessionist ideologies. Despite this, they are being vilified and unfairly targeted in the aftermath of the blast — an unacceptable and deeply concerning trend.
JKSA said that “harassing and threatening Kashmiris on a daily basis like this, while simultaneously trying to sell the idea of ‘atoot ang’ (integral part) simply won’t resonate. Genuine integration comes from respect, dignity and empathy, not intimidation, threats or force.”
JKSA urged the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister to ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of Kashmiri shawl sellers and students, safeguard their accommodation security, and prevent any actions that could fuel mistrust or communal tension. “Swift measures are essential to restore confidence among students and traders so they can continue to live, work, and study without fear.”
