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

The Kashmiris from various parts of the country expressed their gratitude to the Sikh community, individuals and NGOs, who came forward and provided them with protection and shelters in this hour of distress. While all of their touching gesture cannot be left unacknowledged, an NGO called Khalsa Aid International and Nanak Naam Leva Members calls for an extra appreciation. Soon after the Pulwama attack which claimed lives of more than 44 CRPF jawan on February 14, 2019, the Kashmiris all across the country faced strong criticism from angry mobs and individuals who tried to vent out their rage. Reports of Kashmiris being harrassed surfaced from all pockets of the country. The condition, particularly in Uttarakhand, worsened when mobs of Bajrang Dal and VHP members attacked students from a Dehradun college, blaming them for the attack, reported News 18.

Students Taken To Mohali For Protection

Several Kashmiri students in a state of shock trying to make sense of the situation were welcomed at a gurudwara in Mohali by Guru Nanak Naam Leva members, reported Firstpost. These students were not only allowed to stay but were also provided with food. Ishfaq Qureshi, a student leaving in fear in Dehradun said that Jammu & Kashmir Students Organisation(JKSO) asked the Kashmiri students to leave Dehradun immediately. Qureshi further said that all the 700 Kashmiri students took shelter in Mohali. In Mohali, the Nanak Naam Leva Members came to their rescue and provided them with shelters in Mohali’s popular 3B2 and Sohana gurudwaras. Amarinder Singh, a member of Guru Nanak Naam Leva said that when these students arrived in Mohali, they were all in a state of shock and we were trying to make them feel comfortable. He also said that many from Yamuna Nagar approached them to rescue and to them, they have asked to reach Ponta Sahib gurudwara from where a Khalsa Aid buses will help them to reach Mohali.

Special Appreciation For Khalsa Aid International

As on February 20, The Tribune reported that the Khalsa Aid had safely helped 300 Kashmiri students to reach Jammu. These Kashmiri students were sent back to home by a bus arranged by Khalsa Aid.

Kashmiri Students :

Our India team continues to assist the Kashmiri students with safe evacuation. We have so far funded 20 buses from Panjab to Kashmir. Our Tnx to all the amazing volunteers who assisted @amarpreet1313 with this task…@RisingKashmir pic.twitter.com/UDO2tQYK0r

— Khalsa Aid (@Khalsa_Aid) February 19, 2019

The Khalsa Aid also reported that on Wednesday too, 30 Kashmiri students asked for shelter from Harayana, Dehradun, Ambala, and Raipur. Tweets carrying praises and appreciation were seen on Twitter for Khalsa Aid founder and CEO Ravinder Singh. Soon after Amarpreet Singh, managing director, Khalsa Aid International got to know that Jammu & Kashmir Students Organisation were helping Kashmiri students to reach Mohali, Khalsa Aid reached out to the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Organisation and helped them with transportation, food, and accommodation. Students were seen happy and expressed their gratitude to the Khalsa Aid. A student named Saqib, who was stranded and was taken back to his home said that he felt like an alien in his own country. However, Sikhs made him feel again that India is his country.

#KashmiriStudents thanks for #Sikh community in #India after situation of hate & fear created by some goons after #PulwamaAttack.
Those chanting #IndiaWantsRevenge and #BadlaKab #Badla should learn some #Humanity. If U want #Kashmir but Hate #Kashmiris. #Shame #WednesdayWisdom pic.twitter.com/4fPCiqgVA0

— Mehreen Chisti (@mehreen_chisti) February 20, 2019

Kashmiris pour their hearts out thanking Sikhs

A cartoon by Greater Kashmir cartoonist Suhail Naqshbandi is making rounds on the internet. The cartoon depicting a Sikh offering a helping hand to a drowning Kashmiri has been liked by many and shared by some public figures, like Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and Omar Abdullah shared the cartoon on her twitter profile and thanked Sikhs for helping the Kashmiris.

I salute our Sikh brethren who came to the aid of young Kashmiris all over the country. Admire their exemplary spirit to serve with utmost dignity & fortitude. https://t.co/rOGN4mS2PA

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 20, 2019

Apart from these, few Kashmiris even tweeted that groups of local Sikhs guarded outside universities and colleges in Punjab to prevent vigilante mobs from entering inside the premises.

Sikhs guarding one of the college in Punjab at night. Sikhs in groups went from college to college in Punjab to look for Kashmiri students and help them out following mob attacks on Kashmiris at many places. pic.twitter.com/nHbq1bfrjI

— Muhammad Raafi' (@MohammadRaafi) February 19, 2019

As a token of respect for the Sikh Community, snow bike riders in Gulmar have decided to provide discounts to Sikh tourists. One of the members of the riders’ union said that there is not much we can do, so we have decided to provide concessional rides to Sikh tourists. He also said that the Sikh tourists now have to pay Rs 400 instead of Rs 1000 to cover for the cost of petrol, reported The Quint.

Sikhs getting free snow bike rides
In Gulmarg..#Beautiful gesture … @Khalsa_Aid @NasirKhuehami @capt_amarinder @islahmufti @sherryontopp @SalmanNizami_ pic.twitter.com/kiPDtBOChg

— Tasaduq Yaseen (@tasaduq_yaseen) February 20, 2019

The Logical Indian Take

The Logical Indian salutes the Sikh community for helping Kashmiris who were scared of their life. They have set an example that humanity comes above any religion. We request our community members to aid people who need help.