Shimla/Dehradun:
Days after two Kashmiri shawl seller brothers were brutally assaulted in Uttarakhand, another disturbing case has surfaced in Himachal Pradesh, prompting sharp criticism from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). The association accused Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami of inaction despite repeated attacks on Kashmiri traders.
JKSA said Mohd Ramzan, a Kashmiri shawl seller, was allegedly harassed and assaulted in Kangra district by a right-wing activist identified as Surjeet Rajput Guleria. National Convenor Nasir Khuehami alleged the same individual has been involved in at least three similar incidents in the past month.
According to JKSA, Ramzan was forced to “prove” his identity despite asserting his Indian citizenship, threatened, and asked to leave the state. His shawl bundles were allegedly checked, and he was mockingly accused of carrying an AK-47—an act the association termed humiliating, communal and dangerously provocative.
Calling it the fourth such incident in Himachal this year, JKSA said the attacks reflect a disturbing pattern. “Several complaints have been made, but FIRs are either not registered or diluted. Despite multiple incidents, only one FIR has been lodged so far,” it said.
The association said Kashmiri shawl sellers are being systematically intimidated, prevented from selling their goods, and warned to vacate areas—threatening livelihoods built over generations.
