Srinagar, Apr 30,: Prominent religious and political leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has voiced deep concern over the recent assault on Kashmiri shawl vendors in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, claiming they were forced to flee the hill town after local police allegedly refused to ensure their safety.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mirwaiz described the incident as “very disturbing,” asserting that it reflects a broader and growing pattern of targeting Kashmiris across India. “The physical and verbal assault on Kashmiri shawl vendors in Mussoorie, who had to flee when police refused to guarantee their safety, is very disturbing,” he posted.
Mirwaiz linked the assault to the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley, where he said ordinary citizens are already reeling under intense pressure. “After large-scale detentions, demolition of homes, and crackdowns inside Kashmir, ordinary citizens, students, and small traders outside of J&K are being attacked and forced to return,” he wrote.
He also referred to the recent tragedy in Pahalgam, highlighting the compassion shown by Kashmiris despite enduring decades of suffering themselves. “Being themselves at the receiving end of all forms of violence and subsequent suffering for decades, Kashmiris’ condemnation, empathy, and grief for the victims of the Pahalgam bloodbath is straight from the heart, yet they are being vilified and targeted,” he remarked.
In a heartfelt appeal, Mirwaiz urged the people of India to rise above divisive narratives and reject hate campaigns often fuelled by sections of the media. “I appeal to the people of India not to fall prey to hatred and media propaganda creating mistrust of Kashmiris, and reciprocate in ensuring their safety, as they have always done in times of crisis towards all visitors and tourists,” he said.
He concluded his remarks by calling the treatment meted out to Kashmiris both within and outside the region “unjust and inhuman.” [KNT]
