Following the recent militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmiri students across several northern Indian states have been hit by a wave of violence, threats, and communal slurs, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said. The group has logged at least eight incidents so far, calling them a “deliberate and targeted campaign of hate.”
At Himachal Pradesh’s Arni University, Hindu right‑wing mobs harassed Kashmiri students, broke hostel doors, and branded them “terrorists.” In Uttarakhand, the Hindu Raksha Dal issued written ultimatums demanding all Kashmiri Muslim students leave the state by 10 a.m. Thursday, forcing many to flee Dehradun in fear.
Punjab has seen similar attacks: Kashmiri students at the Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, say assailants burst into their hostel at midnight, tore their clothes, and wounded at least one student with sharp weapons while security staff stood by.
“This is a coordinated campaign of vilification,” said Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the association, who has asked state leaders—and, at the national level, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi—for immediate action to safeguard Kashmiri students and restore law and order.
Earlier, JKSA issued an advisory urging Kashmiri students across India urging students to refrain from engaging in political discussions or posting sensitive content on social media platforms, as such actions could provoke backlash or expose them to harm.
“In the wake of the tragic Pahalgam bloodbath, which has claimed the lives of over 28 innocent tourists, there is widespread grief, anger and mourning across the country. In response to this, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has issued an urgent advisory for all Kashmiri students studying across various states in India. The association has called for calm and caution during this tense and sensitive period, urging students to refrain from engaging in political discussions or posting sensitive content on social media platforms, as such actions could provoke backlash or expose them to harm,’ read the advisory.
Khuehami appealed to students to remain indoors unless necessary, avoid public gatherings and stay alert. “We appeal to all Kashmiri students to maintain calm, not indulge in political debates or provocative social media activity, and to avoid venturing out unnecessarily,” he said.
“The current situation is volatile and may escalate, posing a serious risk to your safety. To ensure immediate assistance and support for students in distress, the association has issued a set of helpline numbers. Kashmiri students facing any difficulty in the aftermath of the attack are encouraged to reach out on these numbers,’’ he said.
