There has been a disturbing rise in attacks by Hindu right-wing organizations against Kashmiri vendors across various regions in India, prompting increased concerns for the safety of these traveling workers. This trend includes two recent incidents where shawl vendors experienced harassment and violence in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Just days prior, a Kashmir-based shawl vendor was assaulted by members of the Bajrang Dal in Uttarakhand. In the first of the latest assaults, which occurred in Dehra of Kangra district, Jehangir Ahmad, a vendor with 15 years of experience in the area, was reportedly beaten by fringe elements. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) reported that Ahmad suffered fractures and multiple injuries and is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital.
The JKSA conveyed that this marks the 16th case this year in Himachal Pradesh involving the targeted harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers. Ahmad was threatened with violence and told to vacate the state, while his personal belongings were vandalized, including his mobile phone, which was broken when he attempted to document the attack. The organization emphasized Ahmad’s integration into the local community, where he has been able to work and support himself peacefully.
Following these incidents, the JKSA has called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take immediate action, urging the authorities to file charges against those responsible.
In a separate incident in Kaithal, Haryana, another Kashmiri shawl vendor was reportedly harassed. Video footage of this episode has been widely circulated on social media, showing a man tormenting the vendor and compelling him to chant “Vande Mataram,” along with derogatory accusations.
Nasir Khuehami, the National Convenor of JKSA, discussed the issue with Rajeev Jaitly, the Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Haryana. Jaitly assured that the government would not tolerate such acts of violence and intimidation against Kashmiri vendors and asserted that strict actions would be initiated regarding the Kaithal incident.
The JKSA has condemned the escalation of communal hostility and called for decisive measures to uphold the rule of law and protect vulnerable minority communities from discrimination and violence. This concern extends to the increasing number of cases involving Kashmiri vendors, who typically travel across the country to sell products like shawls and carpets.
Both incidents have prompted significant social media attention, illustrating the urgent need for protective actions and legal accountability in the face of rising hostility towards this community.
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