Union Minister Says, “No Attack On Kashmiri Students After Pulwama Attack”; Is It True?

The aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, which claimed lives of more than 40 CRPF jawans, was followed by reports of Kashmiri students being harassed across the country. Reacting to this, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on February 20, refuted all such allegations, reported The Indian Express. He said, “There is no threat to Kashmiri students as it is being made out to be. Countrymen are angry because of Pulwama attack, but no Kashmiri student has been assaulted (as a result)”. To provide assurance he also said that they are in touch with all institutes, and none of them has reported anything like that.

The Logical Indian looks at if the statement made by the Union Minister is correct or not.

The attacks

According to The Times Of India report, in Dehradun on February 15, a mob consisting members from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) used the Pulwama attack as an excuse to beat 12 Kashmiri students studying in city colleges. Nasir Khuehami, spokesperson of the Jammu Kashmir Students’ Organisation of Uttarakhand said that of the 12 students beaten up, two had to be hospitalised. The shocking truth is that the convenor of Bajrang Dal, Vikas Verma acknowledged the attack and said that they will ensure that no Kashmiri Muslims studies or stays here. Even the videos of the students being beaten up in the front of police went viral.

Apart from it, there were several other reports which stated that several colleges asked their Kashmiri students to temporarily leave the city to avoid any attacks.

Dean forced to step down under pressure

In another instance, the Dean of Dehradun based Alpine College of Management and Technology was suspended on February 16, because the Hindutva groups including ABVP, Bajrang Dal and VHP demanded it, reported The Indian Express. Aabid Majeed Kuchay, who is a Kashmiri had to step down from the post of dean for the safety of the college and other Kashmiri students. He said that he asked the college authorities to suspend him. When the news agency contacted the Alpine college Chairman Anil Saini, he said that the mob was aggressive and there was no way we could ignore their demand.

In the same report, it further added that the right-wing groups entered the Uttaranchal College of Science and Technology on February 18, and misbehaved with the Kashmiri students. The Managing Director of the college, Kamal Sawhney soon after the incident filed an FIR against the mob in the Rajpur police station. Nathi Lal Uniyal, who is the Station Officer of Rajpur police station said that they have arrested 23 persons for spurring violence.

Narendra Gahlawat, who is the station house officer of Prem Nagar police station said that they saw several posters carrying derogatory references to Kashmiris. The posters also asked them to boycott Kashmiris. There were also several instances where landlords asked their Kashmiri tenants to leave immediately. A 25-year old, final year student at Uttaranchal (PG) College of Bio-Medical Sciences and Hospital was asked to leave his room.

There were also reports that the Kashmiri students in the Minerva College in Dehradun were harassed by the mobs.

This is at Minerva College in Dehradun India, where Kashmiri students continue to be harassed. Many have returned home after death threats pic.twitter.com/lwhf8wdQuP

— With Kashmir (@WithKashmir_) February 16, 2019

Kashmiri students in Ambala were forcibly evicted by villagers

Sarpanch of Mullana Village in Ambala, Haryana, in a video, issued an ultimatum to Paying Guest owners who had given rooms to Kashmiri students studying in Maharishi Markandeshwar University (MMU) on February 15. The Sarpanch demanded that the PG owners to oust the Kashmiri students within a span of 24 hours, reported The Times Of India. Soon after the ultimatum, several PG owners asked Kashmiris to leave their rooms. The Superintendent of Police, Astha Modi told the news agency that a video of the announcement was made viral on social media and the reason behind such an announcement could be anger around Pulwama attack. She further said that harassing of Kashmiri student will not be tolerated in the area and if the Sarpanch stands in the way we will pull him up.

The Logical Indian Take

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar instead of taking cognisance of the attacks on Kashmiri students, who are also being forced to leave their colleges, is denying even the occurrence of such events. Even the Supreme Court today took note of the attacks and issued notices to centre and 10 states on plea against the alleged attacks on Kashmiris.

Govt should condemn the attacks and should take stern action against those involved.

Supreme Court issues notice to Centre and States in petition seeking steps to prevent attacks on Kashmiris.

Court asks Nodal Officers to take steps to prevent acts of intimidation, threat, assault, social boycott etc #PulwamaTerrorAttack #SupremeCourt

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 22, 2019

Also Read: Kashmiris Thank Sikh Community For Protecting & Providing Them With Shelter & Food In This Hour Of Distress