In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 men, Kashmiri students across various Indian states are reporting harassment, threats, and eviction, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.
The April 22 attack—deemed the deadliest in the region since 2000—has shaken the nation. Survivors told Indian media that the attackers selectively targeted male tourists, sparing only those able to recite the Islamic declaration of faith.
In the aftermath, students from Kashmir studying in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh have alleged being forced out of their hostels and rental accommodations. Nasir Khuehami, the association’s convenor, said students were branded as “terrorists” and targeted in what he described as a “deliberate campaign of hate.”
In one incident at a Himachal Pradesh university, hostel doors were reportedly broken, and students were physically assaulted. Meanwhile, in Dehradun, nearly 20 Kashmiri students fled to the airport after being threatened by members of the fringe group Hindu Raksha Dal.
“This isn’t merely a security lapse. It’s an orchestrated effort to vilify a specific community,” Khuehami said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have called for immediate intervention from the Centre. Abdullah stated he was in communication with state authorities to ensure the safety of students, while Mufti urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to act against elements inciting hatred and issuing threats.
The broader geopolitical tension continues to simmer. Following the attack, India announced a series of diplomatic actions against Pakistan, including downgrading diplomatic ties and suspending key agreements, citing Islamabad’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has denied any involvement.
Kashmir, a disputed territory claimed by both India and Pakistan, has been a flashpoint of insurgency and conflict since 1947. The Indian government has launched a massive manhunt to capture the perpetrators, detaining several individuals as part of ongoing operations.
