Kashmiri shawl sellers' harassment: Matter taken up with Himachal CM, says JKSA

Srinagar, Dec 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Thursday expressed concern over the harassment, assault, and intimidation faced by dozens of Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district.

These traders, who have been working in the region for over 30 years, are reportedly being threatened and pressured to leave the state by certain right-wing groups, the association said.

In a statement, the National Spokesperson of the Association, Aadil Bhat, said that despite having proper verification and documentation, these shawl sellers are being barred from conducting their business, while their landlords are being pressured to evict them. He urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene urgently.

“These shawl sellers have significantly contributed to the local economy and have become an integral part of the social fabric in Himachal Pradesh. However, they now face insecurity and threats. This reflects a dangerous pattern of targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers regularly, as this is the third such incident in the state. It must be addressed immediately,” Bhat said.

Bhat added that the National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, has raised the issue with the Himachal Pradesh government and spoken to the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ritesh Kapret. Khuehami informed Kapret about the threats and harassment faced by the Kashmiri shawl sellers in Bilaspur. In response, the Chief Minister’s Office assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible and emphasized that such incidents of intimidation and harassment would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“The Chief Minister’s Office told Khuehami to ensure that the affected shawl sellers register formal complaint in this regard and has assured them that their safety and security will be prioritized. The Himachal government has committed to taking immediate steps to ensure that no harm comes to these shawl sellers,” Khuehami said.

He emphasized, “Nothing does more damage to the idea of India in Kashmir than incidents like these. Harassing and threatening Kashmiris undermines the very notion of 'atoot ang' (integral part). True integration stems from mutual respect, dignity, and empathy, not through intimidation, threats, or force.”

He further asserted that the hostile environment created by these threats could severely impact the livelihood of the traders. Khuehami urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the issue with his Himachal Pradesh counterpart and ensure a safe and secure environment for Kashmiri traders operating in the state.

Meanwhile, Bhat added that Khuehami has also raised the matter with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, who has assured that the issue will be taken up with the Himachal Pradesh government.

The Association urged both governments to act swiftly to restore confidence among the Kashmiri community and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.