J&K students outfit reaches out to Hindutva groups over attacks on Kashmiris in Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) began a series of meetings with Hindu right-wing organisations and political leaders in Uttarakhand after repeated alleged threats and attacks on Kashmiri students and shawl sellers, seeking an assurance that such incidents would not recur. The outreach followed safety concerns raised by Kashmiri students after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack and recent cases involving Kashmiri traders in the state.JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami held the first round of meetings with Hindu Raksha Dal (HRD) leader Lalit Sharma and BJP Rajya Sabha member Naresh Bansal. The association said it would also reach out to leaders of organisations such as Bajrang Dal to discuss grievances, stop intimidation and build a channel for resolving issues without threats or street action.“We met Sharma for around two hours because most of the threats and intimidating acts against Kashmiri students and hawkers in the last few years were directed by him. During the meeting, we explained that because of elements like him, the whole of Uttarakhand is getting a bad name in Kashmir,” Khuehami told TOI.Khuehami said he also tried to explain the economic contribution of Kashmiri students to Uttarakhand. “Uttarakhand used to be among the few states where students from Kashmir came for higher education. Around four-five years ago, the total number of Kashmiri students was around 10,000, but due to attacks and threats, the number has come down by around 70%. It is also causing a loss to Uttarakhand’s economy, where a single student spends on average Rs 1 lakh. We urged him to stop the intimidating acts and discuss the issues, if any, amicably with us,” he said.The meeting came against the backdrop of threats issued in Dehradun after Apr 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, when police registered an FIR against Sharma for allegedly trying to incite religious sentiments through inflammatory speeches and assured safety of Kashmiri students. Reports at the time said several Kashmiri students left Dehradun after threatening videos circulated on social media.Concerns over the safety of Kashmiri traders had also surfaced after a Kashmiri shawl seller was allegedly assaulted in Udham Singh Nagar’s Kashipur in Dec 2025, following which police arrested three accused and registered an FIR under several BNS sections. JKSA had then sought legal action and urged police to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students and traders in Uttarakhand.Confirming the meeting, Sharma said Khuehami raised several issues, but added that he did not give any assurance. “We listened to him but didn’t assure him of the future as to how we can get into negotiations when terror attacks like Pahalgam keep happening against civilians. Also, many Kashmiri students in the past were found to have joined terrorist organisations. In such developments, reactions will be there,” Sharma said.State police said nobody would be allowed to take the law into their hands. “Uttarakhand police ensures safety and security for all citizens, irrespective of their states or Union Territories, in the state. Appropriate action is taken against anyone found disturbing law and order,” said Sunil Kumar Meena, IG, law and order, and police headquarters spokesperson.