Flags attacks on Kashmiri traders, hostel crisis, exam scams
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, on Saturday held a detailed and extensive meeting with Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and AICC Media & Publicity Department Chairman, Pawan Khera, in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of pressing issues concerning students, youth, and marginalised communities from Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours, witnessed in-depth deliberations on several long-pending and emerging issues requiring urgent parliamentary intervention, policy attention, and administrative action.
During the meeting, Khuehami presented a comprehensive overview of the challenges confronting students from Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those pursuing higher education outside the Union Territory, the JKSA said in a statement issued here. He emphasised the need for sustained institutional support, robust grievance redressal mechanisms, and targeted policy interventions to safeguard students’ educational rights, safety, dignity, and overall welfare.
A major focus of the discussion was the alarming rise in incidents of harassment, intimidation, physical assaults, and targeted violence against Kashmiri shawl sellers and traders across different parts of the country. Khuehami highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where traders; many of whom have been engaged in this traditional occupation for decades have reportedly been subjected to physical assaults, extortion, arbitrary evictions, intimidation, confiscation of goods, and social profiling.
Khuehami also raised the ongoing hostel crisis at Jamia Millia Islamia, drawing attention to the acute shortage of hostel accommodation, the lack of transparency in the allotment process, and the severe academic, financial, and psychological hardships faced by students.
He further highlighted the recurring incidents of paper leaks, recruitment scams, examination irregularities, and large-scale fraud that have plagued Jammu and Kashmir over the past several years, severely undermining the aspirations of lakhs of unemployed youth. Referring to repeated controversies surrounding recruitment examinations and prolonged delays in public recruitment, Khuehami said these incidents have eroded public confidence in the integrity of recruitment institutions while causing immense psychological, financial, and emotional distress to deserving candidates.
He emphasised that repeated examination cancellations, paper leaks, recruitment delays, and the absence of accountability have deprived thousands of qualified aspirants of fair employment opportunities, leading to growing frustration and disillusionment among educated youth. He urged that these systemic failures be forcefully raised in Parliament and called for comprehensive reforms to restore transparency, credibility, accountability, and public trust in the recruitment process.
Responding to the issues raised, Pawan Khera gave a patient and detailed hearing and assured Khuehami that the concerns highlighted during the meeting would be taken up seriously during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. He stated that he would raise these issues in Parliament and pursue them with the concerned Union Ministries, state governments, and relevant authorities to ensure they receive due attention and are addressed in a timely and effective manner.
Khera appreciated the sustained efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association in addressing student concerns across the country, particularly its role in crisis intervention, advocacy, legal assistance, educational support, and youth engagement. He described JKSA as a credible and impactful platform that has consistently amplified the voices of students from Jammu and Kashmir, bridged the gap between policymakers and the student community, and played a significant role in highlighting issues related to education, employment, and youth welfare.
He encouraged the organisation to continue its constructive engagement with institutions and policymakers while contributing meaningfully to the educational, social, and developmental discourse of Jammu and Kashmir.