Dehra: A Kashmiri shawl seller was allegedly harassed and brutally assaulted by a group of men in Dehra area of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, triggering outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of Kashmiri traders working outside the Valley.
The victim, identified as Jehangir Ahmad, sustained fractures and multiple injuries in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Himachal Pradesh. The incident came to light after a chilling video of the assault surfaced on social media. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), this is the 16th such case this year in Himachal Pradesh involving the targeting of Kashmiri shawl sellers.
JKSA said Ahmad was threatened, abused and told to leave the state immediately. He was allegedly prevented from selling his shawls, his belongings were vandalised, and his mobile phone was smashed when he attempted to record the incident. The assailants reportedly warned him that Kashmiris would not be allowed to work in the area.
The association noted that Ahmad has been selling shawls in the region for the past 15 years and is not a newcomer. “He has lived peacefully among the local community and earned his livelihood with dignity. Despite this, he was threatened with death and forced to vacate,” JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami said.
The JKSA has urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take immediate and decisive action by directing authorities to register a case against those involved under relevant provisions of law. The association said strict action was essential to send a strong message that communal bigotry and violence would not be tolerated.
Earlier on Saturday evening, the JKSA said it had taken up the matter with the office of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office. Khuehami said he spoke to the political secretary to the Leader of Opposition and to the media adviser to the Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Naresh Chauhan, seeking urgent intervention.
According to the association, Rahul Gandhi’s office assured full support, while Chauhan said an FIR was being registered, police teams had been dispatched, raids were underway and arrests were likely. He also conveyed that strict and exemplary action would be taken and that such incidents of violence and intimidation would not be tolerated.
The association said targeting Kashmiri traders and forcing them out of cities undermines constitutional values and deepens alienation. “Kashmiris are equal citizens of India and entitled to the same rights, freedoms and protections as any other Indian,” it said.
