Concerns over safety of Kashmiri Muslims and vulnerability of minorities in Punjab amid rising cases of violence; local police assure strict action and justice for the victim
LUDHIANA — A shocking incident in this Punjab city has highlighted growing concerns over the safety of minorities in India, as a Kashmiri Muslim walnut trader was brutally attacked by employees of a transport company over a missing shipment. The video of the assault has quickly gone viral on social media, raising alarm across the community.
The victim, Mohammad Yaseen, a resident of Kulgam in Kashmir, has been operating in Punjab for the past 20 years, selling walnuts and other dry fruits. On the day of the attack, he arrived in Ludhiana with 14 boxes and three bags of walnuts via bus. Upon arrival, he discovered that one box was missing, triggering a dispute with the transport staff.
“When I asked about the missing box, the staff became aggressive,’ Yaseen said. “I told them to keep the goods and that I would speak with their owner in Jammu later. I did not want any conflict.”
According to Yaseen, several men present at the scene, some reportedly intoxicated, were angered by his questioning. When they realised he belonged to the Kashmiri Muslim community, the situation escalated, and the men physically assaulted him, leaving him bleeding and injured. They also verbally abused him with obscene slurs.
“This is the first time in 20 years that something like this has happened to me,” Yaseen told reporters. “I have always worked hard to make an honest living here. Kashmiri people, not just in Punjab but across India, are being targeted without reason.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the attackers included one Sikh and two or three others, and the assault was unprovoked except for Yaseen’s identity. The incident has sparked fear among the local Muslim business community, highlighting the broader trend of harassment against minorities based on religious identity, dietary practices, and cultural differences.
Following the assault, Yaseen filed a complaint with the Ludhiana Police, who have assured him of stringent action. “We thank the police for taking our complaint seriously,” he said. “I appeal to the authorities to act firmly against those responsible, so no innocent Kashmiri or Muslim faces such violence again.”
Local social commentators have pointed out that such attacks, often associated with extremist groups, are increasingly being reported not only in BJP-governed states but even in regions traditionally considered secular. “This incident should serve as a warning to the state that minority safety cannot be taken lightly,” said Imran Khan, a local rights activist.
The Ludhiana Police Superintendent has reportedly initiated investigations and promised strict legal action against the culprits. Meanwhile, community leaders are calling for greater vigilance to protect vulnerable traders and prevent communal incidents from escalating.
