TCN News Desk
“You are a terrorist.” “You are a murderer.” “Get out, or we will deal with you.”
These threats have been directed at Kashmiri students and Muslims across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal since the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
The repercussions have been severe. Some have lost their jobs, while others have been denied medical care. In fear for their safety, many Kashmiri students have taken refuge in their hostels or fled back to their homes. Videos of these threats have gone viral, amplifying the climate of fear and suspicion.
The anger stems from the attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow, where armed terrorists targeted Hindus, killing them after determining their religious identity. However, there is another side to this story.
Shital Ben, a resident of Surat in Southern Gujarat, lost her husband, Shailesh Kalathia, in the attack. Yet, she spoke out against the generalisation of Kashmiris.
“You are tarnishing Kashmir’s image. There is no problem in Kashmir. The issue lies in the government’s security arrangements. There was no Army and no medical camp there,” she said, addressing Central Minister C.R. Patil.
Victims of the attack in Pahalgam have shared moving accounts of how local Kashmiris helped them during the crisis. Videos have emerged of locals carrying tourists on their shoulders to safety, while one pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, lost his life fighting terrorists to save a tourist.
Despite these acts of heroism, the aftermath of the terrorist attack has sparked a surge in violence against Muslims, particularly Kashmiri students, across India.
April 24, 2025 — Kharar, Punjab
Abhaya, a medical student from Kupwara, studying at Rayat Bahra University in Mohali for the past two years, was targeted on April 24 because of her Kashmiri identity.
“It was 4 PM, and I was leaving the university with a group of five Kashmiri students. Some people surrounded us and began abusing us. They started beating us. We ran away and took refuge in our PG accommodation,” she recalled.
Later that evening, at 8 PM, Abhaya heard a knock on her door. “I did not open the door. From outside, they yelled, ‘Open the door, you are a terrorist!’ I was with a friend, and we were both terrified. We shouted back, ‘We did not do anything wrong. Ask those who did!’”
When the door was eventually opened, a group of locals barged in. One man allegedly grabbed her friend’s hair and twisted her arm while continuing to abuse them.
“We managed to escape and ran out in the state we were in. I called student leader Isharjeet Singh, who helped us. We are still very scared. We also grieve for what happened in Pahalgam. But taking revenge on us is not right. We are also citizens of this country,” she said.
Associated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Singh condemned the attacks on Kashmiri students. “Kashmiri students are being blamed. The people killed in Pahalgam were guests of Kashmir. And these students (Kashmiri) are our guests in Punjab. Their safety is our responsibility.”
He alleged that on April 25, the police visited Abhaya but did not file an FIR. Instead, they reassured her that no Kashmiri student would be mistreated.
April 23, 2025 — Ambala, Haryana
A similar incident occurred in Ambala, where three Kashmiri students were assaulted by locals. Fearing for their safety, the students returned to Kashmir.
Sarwan Singh, a local resident, explained, “There are three colleges on Maulana Village Road with 80-90 Kashmiri students enrolled. Three days ago, three students from Maharishi Markandeshwar College went to Ambala City, 16 kilometers away, intending to return home to Kashmir.”
“They told us that on April 23, they were physically attacked. Out of fear, they did not report it to the police. That same day, the Bajrang Dal and other Hindutva organisations held protests. The students returned to college and informed their friends. Everyone became scared and could not get any help. They wanted to go home, but cab drivers were charging between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 to take them to Jammu. Not everyone could afford that fare.”
Singh and others, in response, opened a Gurudwara to provide shelter for the stranded students. On April 25, 19-20 students stayed at the Gurudwara overnight, where they were given food and transport to safely return home the next morning.
April 23, 2025 — Dehradun, Uttarakhand
On the evening of April 22, the Hindu Raksha Dal released a video threatening Kashmiri Muslims. Lalit Sharma, the president of the organisation, said, “From tomorrow, wherever a Kashmiri Muslim is seen in Dehradun, they will be treated. We will no longer sit back and rely on the government.”
As soon as the video went viral, Kashmiri students in Dehradun were gripped by fear.
Kifayat Ali, a student from Budgam studying at Maya Devi University, said, “When the video came out, students panicked. Some of my friends left for the airport that very night. My roommate also left. He sent me a video from the airport, saying there were around 40 students on the same flight, all returning to Kashmir. As of now, only 10-12 Kashmiri students remain here. A friend told me that a guy warned him to leave by evening, or they would come to the hostel.”
Ali said, “I am scared. The police called me on April 24 and assured me that no harm would come to the students and that they would protect us. The exams are going on, or else I would have returned to Kashmir.”
Professors in Dehradun, including Mohsin, a professor from Shopian, have been proactive in ensuring the safety of students. He said, “When the video from the Hindu Raksha Dal went viral, Kashmiri students were terrified. They started calling me. Everyone was anxious.”
“A number of Kashmiri students come to Dehradun for medical studies. We felt it was unsafe to stay here. Around 60-70 students headed to the airport, some stayed there overnight. Those whose families could afford it bought tickets to Srinagar. On the night of April 25-26, several students flew out.”
After the exams on April 23, students stayed at their college and were assisted by local people to return to their PG accommodations by 6 PM. The college administration has supported the students, allowing them to remain on campus until they feel safe.
The Hindu Raksha Dal, however, defended their actions. “We are doing the work of religion. If needed, we will pick up arms for religion. The Constitution comes later, religion comes first. If our Hindu brothers will be killed, what is the use of this life and this Constitution?” said Sharma.
He further added, “Our 26 people were killed in Kashmir, and you are asking me to follow the Constitution. What is the point? If my people are killed and I sit silently, selling my conscience, what is my use?”
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramod Kumar, in his brief response, said, “An FIR has been filed against Lalit Sharma at Patel Nagar police station for spreading hatred and promoting enmity between communities.”
Muslim Businesses Targeted
April 23, 2025 — Ambala, Haryana
During protests in Ambala following the Pahalgam attack, the Vishva Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and the Hindu Jagran Manch reportedly targeted Muslim-owned businesses. Restaurants like Muradabadi Chicken Corner and Tangra Chowk were forced to close, and there were reports of vandalism.
Rafiq, a restaurant owner, shared his ordeal. “Some people came and vandalised my restaurant. I incurred a loss of around Rs 20,000. I was just doing my work, and they came and caused havoc, even taking money from the cash register. I was badly beaten up.”
Despite police intervention, many affected shopkeepers were too scared to file complaints, fearing further retaliation.
April 25, 2025 — Agra, Uttar Pradesh
The violence escalated further in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, when 25-year-old Mohammad Gulfam Shahid Ali was shot dead by three men on motorcycles outside his restaurant.
His brother, Saif, was with him when the murder took place. A video surfaced a day after the Pahalgam attack, claiming, “We will take revenge for the 26 Hindus killed in Kashmir by targeting 2,600 Muslims.”
Saif identified one of the men in the video as being involved in Gulfam’s murder.
The police have registered a case and are investigating further. The video was later removed, and its creators are suspected of trying to incite hatred against Kashmiri Muslims.
April 27, 2025 — Kolkata, West Bengal
A pregnant woman, Konkona Khatun, accused Dr. Champakali Sarkar, a female gynaecologist, of refusing her medical treatment due to her Muslim identity. The incident occurred in Maheshtala.
Khatun, who is seven months pregnant, claims that Dr. Sarkar denied her care after learning of her religion following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Her husband, Sheikh Saifulla, alleged that Dr. Sarkar even remarked that Khatun would only understand the pain of the attack if her own husband were killed.
Despite a later apology from Dr. Sarkar, the couple filed a police complaint, feeling the apology was insufficient.
The controversy escalated after a photo and audio message circulated on social media, accusing Dr. Sarkar of discrimination and linking her actions to the deadly attack.
The message prompted calls for a boycott of the doctor and her hospital.
Dr. Sarkar denied the allegations, with her hospital filing complaints with the police and cyber-crime department to remove the content. She also announced her intention to take legal action against those responsible for the “doctored” message.
Communities Call for Unity
The growing fear among Kashmiri students and Muslims across India has sparked responses from local communities. People in Punjab and Haryana have voiced their support, organising meetings and campaigns to create awareness about the importance of unity in the face of violence.
As one affected student put it, “When there is unity and trust between communities, there is no room for hatred or violence.”
As the tensions are rising, there is an increasing call for the government to do more to ensure the safety of its citizens during these challenging times.