[Video] 26-Yr-Old Kashmiri Shawl Seller Thrashed In Bengal After Pulwama Attack

While emotions are riding high in different parts of India after the Pulwama attacks, Kashmiris around the country are facing the threat of harassment by others. In yet another case of atrocity against Kashmiris, two incidents of violence in West Bengal has surfaced. In both cases, Kashmiri shawl sellers from the Budgam district of Kashmir had to face assault at the hands of locals.

Kashmiri shawl sellers thrashed

In the first incident, the video of which has now gone viral over social media, a 26-year-old Kashmiri shawl seller Javed Ahmed Khan was thrashed on Monday, February 18. In the video, Khan can be seen being thrashed while the mob is forcing him to raise anti-Pakistan slogans. He was asked to leave West Bengal along with others working in the state. The video has reportedly caused tensions in the Valley where fellow Kashmiris and his family members are demanding strict actions against the culprits.

Reportedly, the incident occurred in Taherpur area of Bengal's Nadia district. According to NDTV, on Monday, Javad had visited a customer's house to collect some dues. The customer showed the Facebook page of one Javed Khan where some derogatory comments were made. Till the time he reached home, word of the bogus Facebook page spread and locals arrived at his house where they slapped and abused Khan till his nose started bleeding. Reportedly, the police came and disbursed the crowd and asked the Kashmiris to leave the area until situations calm down.

No complaint has been filed

Along with Javed, there were three other Kashmiris in the area. All of them left the town by a late night train. One of them was even living in the area for 40 years. "I have lived there for 10 years, made a living, the people there are good people. Some rough men slapped me a few times that day because of some misunderstanding. But it is over. I want to go back there and restart my life," Khan told NDTV. Reportedly, Khan has been engaged in the profession in Bengal for at least a decade and this is the first time when such an incident happened with him.

While Khan has said that he does not want to file any complaint, police officials have said that they are trying to find the culprits and said that if the find the attack to be premediated, then they will take strong actions against them.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir politician Omar Abdullah condemned the attack and said that he is in touch with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He tweeted, "Having seen the video doing the rounds on social media of a young Kashmiri man being beaten up in Kolkata I've been in touch with @derekobrienmp & @MamataOfficial regarding the matter. The culprits have been identified & strongest possible action has been assured.

In another similar yet unrelated incident, in Behala area of Kolkata, four Kashmiri shawl sellers were assaulted on Sunday, February 18 by a mob of around 200 people. All four of them were dragged, abused and assaulted by the mob and have even sustained multiple injuries all over their bodies. The police then came and dispersed the mob late at night, reported The Quint.

The Logical Indian Take

The instances of atrocities against Kashmiris does not end here. Over the last week, hundreds of Kashmiri students had to face harassment at the hands of mobs. While sentiments might fly high during situations like these, it is important for us to remember to stay united. India, if divided along the lines of communalism, might prove to be fatal or extremely damaging to not only the society but also the economy. The Logical Indian condemns such attacks and urges people to think rationally before participating in hate crimes like these.

Also Read: Kolkata: Two Women Abused, Stalked Over Facebook Posts On Pulwama Terror Attack