Kashmiri – Lawmakers Seek Urgent Action Over Attacks on Shawl Sellers Outside Valley
Kashmiri – Concerns over repeated harassment and violent incidents involving Kashmiri shawl sellers outside Jammu and Kashmir were formally raised in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, prompting strong reactions from lawmakers across party lines. Members demanded immediate intervention to protect traders and students who have reported being targeted in several states in recent weeks.
The issue dominated proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, where legislators described the attacks as deeply troubling and harmful to social harmony. Representatives from both the ruling and opposition benches urged the government to take coordinated steps with other states to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of Kashmiri citizens living and working outside the region.
Cross-Party Demands for Protection Measures
Lawmakers from the ruling National Conference, along with opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party and the Peoples Conference, jointly called for decisive action to halt what they described as targeted harassment. Several members stressed that shawl sellers, many of whom travel seasonally for livelihood, should not be subjected to intimidation or violence based on their identity.
Legislators also highlighted similar concerns affecting Kashmiri students studying in different parts of the country. They urged authorities to ensure that educational institutions and local administrations remain vigilant and responsive to complaints, emphasizing that a sense of safety is essential for both economic activity and education.
Adjournment Motion Turned Down
During the session, PDP legislator Waheed Para sought to move an adjournment motion to allow a focused discussion on the matter. The motion aimed to draw immediate attention to the rising number of reported incidents and the need for inter-state coordination. However, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather declined the request, stating procedural grounds for the decision. Despite the rejection, the issue continued to be discussed through other interventions on the floor of the House.
Chief Minister Calls Harassment Unacceptable
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemned the incidents, describing any form of harassment against traders and students as unacceptable. He informed the Assembly that the matter had already been raised at a recent North Zone meeting of Chief Ministers, where he appealed for collective responsibility in addressing such cases.
According to the Chief Minister, he also took up the issue with the Union Home Minister, urging central support to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. He acknowledged the response from the Pushkar Singh Dhami, noting that swift action had been taken by the Uttarakhand government following a reported assault in the state.
Recent Incidents Spark Wider Concern
The renewed attention follows an alleged attack last week on a 17-year-old shawl seller, Mohammad Tabish, and his elder brother Mohammad Danish in Uttarakhand. The incident drew widespread concern in Jammu and Kashmir and among Kashmiri trading communities elsewhere. In the days that followed, similar reports of harassment involving shawl sellers emerged from Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, adding to fears of a broader pattern.
While state authorities in the affected regions have indicated that local investigations are underway, lawmakers in Jammu and Kashmir stressed that isolated responses are not enough. They called for sustained coordination between state governments, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to address grievances promptly and prevent escalation.
Call for Coordinated National Response
Members of the Assembly concluded by urging the government to establish clear communication channels with other states where Kashmiri traders are active. They emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures, timely police action, and public messaging to discourage discrimination and violence.
The debate underscored a shared view across party lines that the safety of Kashmiri citizens outside the region is a matter of national responsibility, requiring consistent attention and cooperation at multiple levels of governance.