Saurabh Mukherjee
In the aftermath of the deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, including that of a local resident, Kashmiri students studying in various parts of India are facing a wave of harassment, threats, and physical assaults.
In a series of posts on X, Nasir Khuehami, the national convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (J&KSA), reported incidents from several states, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
One of the most concerning threats came from the Hindu Raksha Dal, a Hindutva outfit that has allegedly issued open calls to identify and assault Kashmiri Muslim students in Uttarakhand.
"Hindutva outfit Hindu Raksha Dal has once again openly issued threats to identify and physically assault Kashmiri Muslim students in Uttarakhand starting today allegedly in retaliation for the tragic killing of tourists in Pahalgam. Members of the outfit, emboldened by impunity, chanting inflammatory and communal slogans such as “Kashmiri mullo, go back," said Khuehami, in one of the posts.
“We have been receiving multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students from Dehradun. The students feel threatened and insecure in the aftermath of a video released by Hindu Rakhsha Dal, warning Kashmiri Muslim students to vacate Dehradun by 10 am today,” J&KSA also said in a statement.
In another disturbing episode, Kashmiri students at the Universal Group of Institutions in Dera Bassi, Chandigarh, were allegedly attacked on Wednesday night. In videos shared on social media, students described how assailants, some carrying sharp weapons, stormed into their hostel around midnight. At least one student sustained serious injuries, and others were seen with torn clothes.
Khuehami alleged that the college’s security staff did not intervene and that the Punjab Police failed to provide timely protection.
Responding to the incident, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the police had taken cognisance of the situation via social media and had instructed local authorities to initiate legal proceedings. He also urged the public not to share content that could incite hatred or disturb communal harmony.
The attacks are part of a broader pattern, with Khuehami noting this was the seventh such incident since the Pahalgam tragedy.
“Recieved Distress Calls from Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, Chandigarh, where Kashmiri students were brutally attacked inside the hostel premises during the night. Students said that, local individuals and other students forcefully entered the hostel at midnight, targeting Kashmiri students with sharp weapons. Their clothes were torn, and at least one student sustained serious injuries,” Khuehami said.
In Noida, a Kashmiri student from Amity University was allegedly beaten, while in Himachal Pradesh’s Arni University in Kathghar and Kangra, students reported being harassed, labelled as “terrorists,” and forced to vacate their accommodations under threats of violence.
In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, landlords have reportedly told Kashmiri tenants—both students and working youth—to leave immediately, citing security concerns.
“Received multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students and youth in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Landlords are asking them to vacate immediately, citing security concerns. Some have already left under pressure. This is alarming,” Khuehami said.
He added that the association had released emergency helpline numbers and established a dedicated response team to support affected students and liaise with local authorities.
Expressing concern, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that his administration is in touch with the governments of the states where these incidents are being reported.
"The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I'm also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care," he posted on X.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said she had raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students and traders across India.
Khuehami confirmed that the association had contacted the office of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and received assurances that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to spread fear or disrupt communal peace.
“I have raised the matter with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office regarding the pressure being faced by Kashmiri students and youth in Prayagraj. I have received firm assurances that the issue is being addressed with urgency, and that no one will be allowed to harass, intimidate, or target Kashmiris under any pretext,” he said.
The attack in Pahalgam—known as “mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty—has drawn widespread condemnation in the Valley, leading to a rare and complete shutdown across Kashmir. This marked one of the most significant expressions of civilian outrage in the 35-year history of militancy in the region.
Khuehami warned that the targeted harassment of Kashmiri students across states reflects not only a security lapse but a dangerous, deliberate campaign of hate.
In a series of posts on X, Nasir Khuehami, the national convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (J&KSA), reported incidents from several states, including Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
One of the most concerning threats came from the Hindu Raksha Dal, a Hindutva outfit that has allegedly issued open calls to identify and assault Kashmiri Muslim students in Uttarakhand.
"Hindutva outfit Hindu Raksha Dal has once again openly issued threats to identify and physically assault Kashmiri Muslim students in Uttarakhand starting today allegedly in retaliation for the tragic killing of tourists in Pahalgam. Members of the outfit, emboldened by impunity, chanting inflammatory and communal slogans such as “Kashmiri mullo, go back," said Khuehami, in one of the posts.
8th Incident: Second Open Threat Call.
— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) April 24, 2025
Hindutva outfit Hindu Raksha Dal has once again openly issued threats to identify and physically assault Kashmiri Muslim students in Uttarakhand starting today allegedly in retaliation for the tragic killing of tourists in Pahalgam. Members… pic.twitter.com/9x8V3yy7UD
“We have been receiving multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students from Dehradun. The students feel threatened and insecure in the aftermath of a video released by Hindu Rakhsha Dal, warning Kashmiri Muslim students to vacate Dehradun by 10 am today,” J&KSA also said in a statement.
We have been receiving multiple distress calls of Kashmiri students from Dehradun. The students feel threatened and insecured in the aftermath of video released by Hindu Rakhsha Dal, warning Kashmiri Muslim students "to vacate Dehradun by 10 AM today" @GreaterKashmir
— J&K Students Association (@JKSTUDENTSASSO) April 24, 2025
In another disturbing episode, Kashmiri students at the Universal Group of Institutions in Dera Bassi, Chandigarh, were allegedly attacked on Wednesday night. In videos shared on social media, students described how assailants, some carrying sharp weapons, stormed into their hostel around midnight. At least one student sustained serious injuries, and others were seen with torn clothes.
Khuehami alleged that the college’s security staff did not intervene and that the Punjab Police failed to provide timely protection.
Responding to the incident, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the police had taken cognisance of the situation via social media and had instructed local authorities to initiate legal proceedings. He also urged the public not to share content that could incite hatred or disturb communal harmony.
The attacks are part of a broader pattern, with Khuehami noting this was the seventh such incident since the Pahalgam tragedy.
“Recieved Distress Calls from Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, Chandigarh, where Kashmiri students were brutally attacked inside the hostel premises during the night. Students said that, local individuals and other students forcefully entered the hostel at midnight, targeting Kashmiri students with sharp weapons. Their clothes were torn, and at least one student sustained serious injuries,” Khuehami said.
7th Incident:
— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) April 24, 2025
Recieved Distress Calls from Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, Chandigarh, where Kashmiri students were brutally attacked inside the hostel premises during the night. Students said that, local individuals and other students forcefully entered the hostel… pic.twitter.com/QDf1iYjMlk
In Noida, a Kashmiri student from Amity University was allegedly beaten, while in Himachal Pradesh’s Arni University in Kathghar and Kangra, students reported being harassed, labelled as “terrorists,” and forced to vacate their accommodations under threats of violence.
In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, landlords have reportedly told Kashmiri tenants—both students and working youth—to leave immediately, citing security concerns.
“Received multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students and youth in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Landlords are asking them to vacate immediately, citing security concerns. Some have already left under pressure. This is alarming,” Khuehami said.
He added that the association had released emergency helpline numbers and established a dedicated response team to support affected students and liaise with local authorities.
Expressing concern, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that his administration is in touch with the governments of the states where these incidents are being reported.
"The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I'm also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care," he posted on X.
The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I’m also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care. https://t.co/oMTx06o08Y
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 24, 2025
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said she had raised the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students and traders across India.
Khuehami confirmed that the association had contacted the office of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and received assurances that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to spread fear or disrupt communal peace.
“I have raised the matter with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office regarding the pressure being faced by Kashmiri students and youth in Prayagraj. I have received firm assurances that the issue is being addressed with urgency, and that no one will be allowed to harass, intimidate, or target Kashmiris under any pretext,” he said.
The attack in Pahalgam—known as “mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty—has drawn widespread condemnation in the Valley, leading to a rare and complete shutdown across Kashmir. This marked one of the most significant expressions of civilian outrage in the 35-year history of militancy in the region.
Khuehami warned that the targeted harassment of Kashmiri students across states reflects not only a security lapse but a dangerous, deliberate campaign of hate.
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