With attacks on Kashmiri shawl vendors increasing in various parts of the country, especially in North India, a disturbing video has emerged from Himachal Pradesh in which several vendors from Kashmir have alleged that they are being threatened, assaulted, and warned of consequences if they do not leave the hilly state.
In a statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association alleged that many Kashmiri shawl sellers, who have been working in Himachal Pradesh for over 25–30 years, are now being harassed, assaulted, and threatened with eviction in the Ghumarwin area of Bilaspur district by right-wing groups.
“They have been threatened and told to leave the state, not allowed to sell their shawls, their belongings have been vandalised, and even their mobile phones were smashed when they tried to record these incidents,” the J&K Students Association said in a statement.
The students’ association said that despite having proper verification and valid documents, the vendors are being prevented from carrying out their business, and their landlords are being pressured to evict them.
“These shawl sellers have contributed immensely to the local economy and have become an integral part of the social fabric over the decades. Yet today, they are facing intimidation, insecurity, and fear. This reflects a dangerous and disturbing pattern of targeting Kashmiri traders. Targeted harassment and violence against Kashmiris show no signs of ending,” the statement added.
In the video, a group of Kashmiri shawl vendors can be seen sitting together and speaking about the harassment they are facing.
“The people are really scared. They did not even go to work. Some locals here are harassing them. They are coming with their faces covered and are attacking us with sharp weapons,” a man recording the video is heard saying.
One vendor then said that he was harassed by two to three men the other day. “I had just gone nearby, 2-3 people came asking me not to come here and telling me to go from here. They are harassing all of us. I have been working here for 17-18 years. But this is the first time something like this is happening to me. We have all verifications, still they are harassing us. My uncle was beaten and they stole his material worth Rs. 20,000,” he said.
Bilal, the man who was beaten up, said that he was attacked by some locals. “The men had their face covered. They asked me to keep the material down and then started beating me. So, I ran away from there. All my verification has been done by the police. I suffered a lot of loss as I was not able to pick up the material when I was running away,” he said.
The students’ association has requested the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to intervene immediately.
“This atmosphere of hatred and threats has the potential to destroy livelihoods built over generations. We further urge the HCM to take immediate and decisive action by directing the authorities to register cases against the fringe and right-wing elements involved under the relevant provisions of law. Strict action will send a strong message that communal bigotry has no place in a progressive and inclusive society,” the association added.
Earlier on Tuesday, a group of Kashmiri shawl sellers were allegedly harassed, threatened, and targeted in an attempted attack and looting by a group of miscreants in the Kasauli area of Solan district.
According to JKSA, this was the 16th reported case in Himachal Pradesh this year involving the targeting of Kashmiri shawl sellers.
According to initial information shared by JKSA, the assailants verbally abused the sellers, asked them to leave Himachal Pradesh, and allegedly told them to “go to Pakistan.” The group also attempted to assault and rob the traders before the situation was defused.
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