Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 30 : The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), along with the National Students Union of India (NSUI) Wednesday held a protest march in Srinagar, demanding immediate action to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiri students studying outside the region following recent incidents of harassment.
Pertinently, after a terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, died, multiple cases of assault and harassment against Kashmiri students have been reported across India, sparking concern and outrage among political leaders and civil society members.
As per the details available by the news agency, the demonstration, which began at the Congress headquarters in Srinagar, saw participation from senior party leaders, NSUI members and student activists.
Holding placards that read “Stop Harassing Kashmiri Students” and “Ensure Safety Across India.”
The protesters raised slogans against what they called a targeted campaign of hate and profiling. They condemned the attacks and said the Central Government must ensure the protection of Kashmiri youth who are being victimized in the name of nationalism. “Our students are being labelled and attacked for no fault of theirs. This is unacceptable in a democratic country,” they said.
The protesters also said the harassment faced by Kashmiri students outside the Union Territory is not only alarming but also raises serious questions about the prevailing atmosphere of hate and discrimination. “We are witnessing an orchestrated targeting of Kashmiri students in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. They are being called terrorists, assaulted, and even forced to flee campuses in places like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh,” they added.
Meanwhile, the protest was prompted by multiple reports of Kashmiri students facing threats and assaults in various states, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Several students reported being called “terrorists” and were forced to leave their hostels and accommodations fearing for their lives.
Earlier, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed concern over the incidents and stated that his administration is in touch with the concerned states. “I’m also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states and have requested they take extra care,” Abdullah had said
