Fresh harassment and assault against Kashmiri Shawl Sellers across Northern States :JKSA
JKSA Seeks Home Minister Amit Shah’s Intervention
18/01/2026
Srinagar, January 18 (KIP)-The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene urgently in view of a fresh and alarming wave of harassment, intimidation, and targeted assaults against Kashmiri shawl sellers across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.
In a statement, National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, expressed grave concern over the recurring nature of these incidents, stating that despite repeated representations and assurances at various levels, Kashmiri traders continue to face hostility and violence in multiple states.
Assocaition stated that the situation in Himachal Pradesh remains particularly grave, with repeated incidents of harassment and intimidation of Kashmiri shawl sellers being reported from several districts over the past months, despite earlier interventions and assurances by the authorities. The association also highlighted the incident that happened in Almora district of Uttarakhand, where a Kashmiri shawl seller was allegedly roughed up and injured. It noted with concern that no concrete police action has followed so far, deepening fear and insecurity among Kashmiri traders operating in the region.
In Haryana’s Yamunanagar district, the association flagged a disturbing case in which a Kashmiri shawl seller was allegedly forced to chant religious slogans and prevented from selling his merchandise; an act Association said amounts to coercion, intimidation, and a direct assault on constitutional values, freedom of livelihood, and communal harmony.
Khuehami said that in several cases across these states, FIRs were either delayed or not registered promptly, arrests were absent, and deterrent action was lacking. “This has created an atmosphere of fear and impunity, severely impacting the safety, dignity, and livelihood of thousands of Kashmiri shawl sellers who earn their living through lawful and traditional means,” he said.
He further stated that many Kashmiri traders are living under constant fear and psychological distress, with several reportedly forced to leave these states, resulting in disruption of education, loss of livelihood, and erosion of dignity.
Association warned that such incidents have implications far beyond individual states. It said that repeated targeting of innocent Kashmiris, coupled with lack of accountability, risks deepening alienation and undermining trust; thereby harming long-term national interests.
Reiterating that Kashmiris are equal citizens and an integral part of India, the association asserted that targeting Kashmiri traders or forcing them out of cities only deepens mistrust and social division. Allowing such harassment to continue unchecked, it warned, risks playing into the hands of hostile forces seeking to fracture India’s social cohesion.
The association stressed that violence, intimidation, and communal hatred must not be normalised and that the rule of law must prevail without fear or favour. Emphasising that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity, the Association said any assault on that spirit is an assault on the nation itself.
Khuehami urged the Union Home Minister to seek detailed reports from the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, including district-wise status of FIRs, arrests, prosecutions, and preventive measures taken.
He also requested clear, time-bound directions, fixing of accountability where lapses have occurred, and the implementation of credible security and monitoring mechanisms to protect Kashmiri traders across these states.