A disturbing wave of hate-driven violence has engulfed Kashmiri students studying in northern India, following the recent militant attack in Pahalgam. At least eight separate incidents of harassment and violence have been reported across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which condemned the incidents as part of a “deliberate and targeted campaign of hate.”, reported the Wire.
In Himachal Pradesh, the situation escalated at Arni University in Kathghar (Indora), Kangra district, where Kashmiri students were harassed, verbally abused, and labelled “terrorists” by Hindu right-wing mobs. Hostel doors were reportedly broken down, and students were forced to flee for their safety. Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of JKSA, expressed concern over the grim situation, stating, “These students are being physically attacked and coerced to vacate their accommodation under threat of violence.”
In Uttarakhand, the Hindu Raksha Dal, a right-wing Hindutva group, issued an open threat to Muslim Kashmiri students, demanding that they vacate the state by 10 AM Thursday, warning of violent consequences for non-compliance. Written threats were reportedly sent to multiple educational institutions in Dehradun, amplifying the atmosphere of fear among the students. Khuehami revealed that 20 students from BFIT College in Sudhowala fled toward Jolly Grant Airport in desperation.
In Punjab, another violent attack occurred at the Universal Group of Institutions in Derabassi, near Chandigarh, where Kashmiri students were attacked inside their hostel by assailants armed with sharp weapons. One student sustained serious injuries, with their clothes torn during the assault. Khuehami emphasized the failure of college security and police to intervene in time, stating, “This inaction emboldened the attackers.”
The JKSA condemned these attacks as part of a growing pattern of communal violence targeting Kashmiri students, fueled by regional and religious biases. Khuehami criticized the silence and inaction of local authorities, urging the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to ensure the safety of students in the state.
The organization also called on Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, who expressed concern and promised to raise the issue at the national level. As the situation remains tense, students continue to seek safety amid an increasingly hostile and volatile environment.
