In the aftermath of Pahalgam attack, Kashmiri students have faced brutal assaults, abuse, and threats in multiple states of mainland India
NEW DELHI — In the troubling aftermath of the recent attack in Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, reports of violence and harassment against Kashmiri students across India have surfaced, exposing a disturbing rise in communal intolerance. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has strongly condemned these incidents, urging authorities to take swift action to protect innocent students targeted solely because of their origin.
Over the past 24 hours, at least a dozen cases of attacks and intimidation against Kashmiri students have emerged in states including Punjab, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and others.
These incidents, ranging from physical assaults with weapons to verbal abuse and threats, underline the dangerous climate that Kashmiri students now face far from their homes.
JKSA’s national convenor, Nasir Khuhmi, detailed a particularly alarming attack at the Universal Group of Institutes in Derabassi, Chandigarh. “Local students forcibly entered the hostel premises at midnight and attacked Kashmiri students with sharp weapons. They tore their clothes and physically harmed them,” he said. More than 100 Kashmiri students live at the institute. A video of the attack has circulated widely, showing terrified students pleading for protection from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Responding to the outrage, Chief Minister Mann assured, “I am in touch with JKSA and the state government will ensure the safety of all students. Any attempt to spread hatred or disturb communal harmony will not be tolerated.” Punjab Police’s Director General of Police (DGP) has launched a thorough investigation into the incident.
Disturbingly, similar harassment has occurred at Arni University in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, where Kashmiri students were called ‘terrorists’ and pressured to leave the hostel. The Himachal Pradesh DGP appealed to citizens to “use social media responsibly and avoid sharing any misleading or provocative content” that could escalate tensions.
In Uttarakhand, the situation has taken an even more alarming turn. Nasir Khuhmi shared a video revealing that members of the Hindu Raksha Dal, a Hindutva organisation, openly threatened Kashmiri Muslim students. “They have issued a chilling ultimatum, demanding that all Kashmiri Muslim students vacate the state by 10 am today,” Khuhmi said. The organisation is reportedly inciting communal slogans like “Kashmiri mullahs, go back” and threatening violence.
The video features Lalit Sharma of Hindu Raksha Dal warning, “My teams will tour the state from tomorrow and deal with any Kashmiri Muslim in their own way.” Such blatant intimidation and calls for ethnic cleansing are not only unlawful but shameful reminders of deep-seated communal prejudices.
JKSA has urgently appealed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to intervene and protect Kashmiri students from these threats. “We urge the Chief Minister to act immediately to guarantee the safety of all Kashmiri students across the state,” said Khuhmi.
The distress extends to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, where Kashmiri students report landlords forcing them to vacate homes citing ‘security concerns.’ Many students have been compelled to leave under pressure, while fears of harassment and profiling grow. Nasir Khuhmi has petitioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for swift action, warning that “such elements should not be allowed to target innocent Kashmiris. Their safety, dignity and right to live anywhere in India must be protected.”
Prominent leaders have spoken out. Hurriyat Congress Chairman Mirwaiz Umar condemned the attacks, tweeting, “The fear expressed by Kashmiris outside Kashmir, especially students, after the brutal Pahalgam incident is extremely worrying. Authorities must intervene immediately and ensure their safety.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah echoed these concerns, stating, “We are in touch with governments of the affected states and with their Chief Ministers to ensure extra precautions are taken for the safety of our students.”
In light of the escalating threats, the Jammu and Kashmir Resident Commission in New Delhi has issued a helpline number to assist students studying across the country. The commission encourages students to reach out for any help or assistance during these difficult times.
Despite official assurances, the atmosphere remains tense. Nasir Khuhmi emphasised, “The Uttar Pradesh government has assured strict action against those attempting to spread fear or create communal discord. We will keep monitoring the situation and stand firm with our students to ensure their safety and dignity.”
The pattern of targeting Kashmiri students after the Pahalgam attack exposes a dangerous communal bias that threatens not only the well-being of students but the core principles of India’s pluralistic society. The involvement of Hindutva groups like Hindu Raksha Dal in issuing threats and inciting hatred is deeply concerning. Such actions serve to worsen divisions and distract from the real issue: the need for peace and justice.
Civil society and government authorities must act decisively to condemn and prevent these attacks. The rights of Kashmiri students to live, study, and thrive anywhere in India must be protected without fear of violence or discrimination.
As Nasir Khuhmi said, “No student should have to live under fear or face violence simply because of their identity. It is the responsibility of every government and citizen to uphold their dignity and safety.”
