Kashmiri Shawl Seller Assaulted in Himachal: 16th Attack This Year Sparks Outrage

J&K students association says another Kashmiri shawl seller assaulted

Kashmiri Shawl Seller Assaulted in Himachal: A Disturbing Pattern of Targeted Violence

In yet another alarming incident, a Kashmiri shawl seller was left with multiple fractures and serious injuries after being allegedly assaulted in Himachal Pradesh. The attack—reportedly unprovoked and vicious—has ignited fresh outrage among Kashmiri communities across North India. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), this is not an isolated case but the 16th documented assault on Kashmiri traders in Himachal Pradesh alone in 2025.

The Kashmiri shawl seller assaulted incident underscores a growing climate of insecurity for Kashmiri businesspeople who have long traveled across northern India to sell their iconic handicrafts. Once welcomed for their craftsmanship, many now fear for their safety in states where they’ve worked for decades. As tensions mount, civil groups are demanding immediate protection and accountability from state authorities.

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What Happened to the Shawl Seller?

According to initial reports, the victim—a middle-aged man from Srinagar—was displaying his handwoven Pashmina and woolen shawls at a local market in a district of Himachal Pradesh when a group of individuals allegedly attacked him without warning. Witnesses say the assault was sudden and brutal, leaving him with fractures in his arm and ribs, along with head injuries .

Local police have registered a case, and the victim is currently recovering in a hospital. While motives remain under investigation, community leaders and the JKSA assert that the assault appears to be ethnically motivated, echoing a series of similar incidents in the same region over the past 12 months.

J&K Students Association Condemns the Attack

The J&K Students Association (JKSA) has issued a strongly worded statement calling the incident “a grave violation of human dignity and constitutional rights.” In their appeal, they highlighted that Kashmiri traders are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who contribute to local economies through their small businesses.

“This is the 16th such attack in Himachal Pradesh this year alone,” the association stated. “We urge Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take immediate and visible action—arrest the perpetrators, deploy protective patrols in market areas, and issue a public assurance of safety for our community.”

The JKSA also announced plans for a peaceful demonstration outside the Himachal Pradesh Raj Bhavan if no concrete steps are taken within 72 hours [INTERNAL_LINK:kashmiri-traders-safety-india].

16 Attacks in One Year: A Troubling Trend

The figure—16 assaults in a single state in less than a year—has shocked human rights observers. Data compiled by the JKSA shows that these incidents are concentrated in tourist-heavy districts like Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala, where Kashmiri vendors are common during the winter and spring seasons.

Most attacks follow a similar pattern:

  • Verbal abuse or accusations of “being outsiders”
  • Deliberate damage to merchandise (shawls, carpets, etc.)
  • Physical violence, often in broad daylight with bystanders present
  • Lack of timely police intervention or follow-up

Many victims choose not to report incidents due to fear of retaliation or distrust in local authorities—a factor that suggests the actual number could be even higher .

Himachal Pradesh Police and Government Reaction

As of Sunday, the Himachal Pradesh Police have confirmed that an FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation). However, no arrests have been publicly announced.

The state government, through a spokesperson, expressed “regret over the incident” and promised a “fair and swift investigation.” But critics argue that condolences are not enough—what’s needed is a systemic response, including sensitization of local police and community outreach programs to counter prejudice .

Why Are Kashmiri Traders Being Targeted?

Experts point to a mix of factors: rising regionalism, misinformation, and the lingering stigma from decades of conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. “Kashmiri vendors are often stereotyped as ‘suspicious’ or ‘anti-national’ despite having zero political involvement,” says Dr. Irfan Mehraj, a researcher with the Human Rights Watch South Asia team. “This xenophobia is being normalized under the guise of ‘local protectionism.’”

Similar Harassment Reported in Haryana

The Himachal attacks are not occurring in isolation. The JKSA also confirmed they are coordinating with authorities in Haryana over a separate case of harassment involving a Kashmiri shawl seller in Ambala. In that instance, the vendor was detained without cause and subjected to hours of questioning before being released—a “soft” form of intimidation that still chills business activity .

These parallel incidents raise concerns about a broader north Indian trend of marginalizing mobile Kashmiri entrepreneurs—a group already vulnerable due to their transient livelihoods.

Conclusion: Time for Concrete Action, Not Just Condemnation

The repeated targeting of Kashmiri traders—epitomized by the latest Kashmiri shawl seller assaulted case—reveals a dangerous gap in protection for India’s internal migrants. Constitutional guarantees of equality mean little if communities live in fear while simply trying to earn an honest living.

State governments, civil society, and law enforcement must move beyond statements. Real solutions include fast-track justice, community policing, public awareness campaigns, and economic support for affected vendors. Until then, every shawl left unwoven or unsold in Himachal is a silent testament to a broken promise of safety and inclusion.

Sources

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