Takes cognisance of JKSA complaint
Srinagar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday took cognisance of the incidents of harassment and attacks against Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in different parts of the country.
The Commission has filed a case under (Case No. 684/90/0/2026) on a complaint filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), concerning incidents of intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and physical assaults allegedly faced by Kashmiri shawl sellers and students across several states in India, the Association said in a statement.
The complaint was filed earlier this year by JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami following a series of incidents reported from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The complaint documented instances in which Kashmiri shawl sellers were allegedly assaulted, threatened, humiliated, prevented from carrying out their trade, and, in some cases, forced to leave areas where they had been living and working peacefully for decades. Several Kashmiri students also reported incidents of denial of accommodation, communal profiling, intimidation, and physical threats.
Earlier, the NHRC had acknowledged the complaint and assigned it Diary No. 4836/CR/2026, confirming that the matter had been formally taken on record. The registration of Case No. 684/90/0/2026 marks a significant step in the Commission’s examination of the concerns raised by the Association.
This development comes months after Kashmiri students and shawl sellers were subjected to repeated acts of violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in different states. Despite repeated representations made by JKSA to various state administrations and law enforcement agencies, many affected individuals continued to live under fear and uncertainty, with several traders reportedly compelled to discontinue their businesses and return home.
The Association stated that the Commission will issue notices to the concerned state governments and seek detailed reports from the respective administrations and police authorities regarding the incidents highlighted in the complaint. These reports are likely to include the status of FIRs registered, arrests made, action taken against the accused, measures adopted to prevent such incidents, and steps undertaken to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students and traders residing in those states.
Association expressed hope that the Commission would thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding these incidents and recommend appropriate measures to safeguard the safety, dignity, livelihood, and constitutional rights of Kashmiri citizens residing and working outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The Association further urged the commission to ensure accountability in cases where there have been lapses in responding to complaints and protecting vulnerable individuals.
The Association reiterated that Kashmiris are equal citizens of India and are entitled to the same rights, freedoms, and protections guaranteed under the Constitution. Violence, discrimination, intimidation, or social exclusion against any citizen on the basis of identity, region, religion, or attire have no place in a democratic and constitutional society governed by the rule of law; it added.