Last Updated:January 18, 2026, 20:26 IST

The JKSA wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over a fresh wave of harassment, intimidation, and targeted assaults against Kashmiri shawl sellers across several northern states.

Kashmiri shawl sellers have been facing a wave of harassment and intimidation in several states.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking him to intervene urgently in view of a fresh and alarming wave of harassment, intimidation, and targeted assaults against Kashmiri shawl sellers across several states, including 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.

This came after reports that a Kashmiri shawl seller from J&K’s Kupwara was allegedly threatened by a man claiming to be a former Army officer in Himachal Pradesh, who used communal remarks about Kashmiri Muslims. The man accused Kashmiri Muslims of allying with Pakistan. Another video showed two men threatening a shawl seller and pressuring him to chant religious slogans.

The association said the situation in Himachal Pradesh remains especially serious, with multiple reports of harassment and intimidation of Kashmiri shawl sellers across several districts in recent months, despite previous interventions and assurances from the authorities. It also said a shawl seller was beaten up in Uttarakhand’s Almora district, and no police action has followed so far, leading to deep fear and insecurity among Kashmiri traders.

The association flagged a worrying case from Haryana’s Yamunanagar district, where a Kashmiri trader was allegedly forced to chant religious slogans and prevented from selling his merchandise, which amounted to coercion, intimidation, and a direct assault on constitutional values and communal harmony.

According to Khuehami, police action against these attacks has been woefully inadequate. In several cases, FIRs were either delayed or not registered promptly, arrests were absent and deterrent action has been insufficient. He said the livelihoods of thousands of Kashmiri shawl sellers were affected due to an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

The association warned that repeated targeting of innocent Kashmiris and lack of accountability will deepen alienation and undermine trust, harming long-term national interests. It repeated that Kashmiris are equal citizens and an integral part of India, and asserted that violence, intimidation, and communal hatred must not be normalised.

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 and monitoring mechanisms to protect Kashmiri traders.

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