Jingoism Grips India After Pulwama Attack, Kashmiri Students Leave for Home

As groups of people have been protesting against Pakistan following the brutal attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama, Kashmiris outside the state, especially students, are being targeted in parts of the country. Incidents of Kashmiris being attacked, harassed and hounded are being widely shared on social media.

Many right-wing groups have targeted Kashmiri students studying in colleges of Dehradun, Ambala and Jaipur. Meanwhile, two institutions in Dehradun have stated they will not admit any student from Kashmir. Such incidents have triggered panic among the Kashmiri students, many of whom are temporarily leaving the city.

As per The Indian express, Dr Aslam Siddiqui, principal of Baba Farid Institute of Technology (BFIT), in an “undertaking” to the students’ union, has ensured that if any Kashmiri student is “found engaged in any anti-national activity, then the student will be expelled from the institute”. The decision was taken in the wake of protests outside the college by students’ organisations including ABVP, VHP, and Bajrang Dal. “Nae satra mein kisi bhi kashmiri chhatra ko daakhila nahi diya jayega (no new Kashmiri student will be enrolled in the upcoming session),” the letter further stated.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Siddiqui said, “Around 400-500 people from ABVP, VHP, and Bajrang Dal protested in front of the institute between 1 pm and 5pm. They asked us to assure them that all the Kashmiri students would be expelled from BFIT. I tried explaining that expelling students mid-term would affect their careers. Finally, keeping in mind the safety of the Kashmiri students, I had to give in writing that we won’t accept any Kashmiri student from the next session.”

In Chandigarh, over 100 students have been preparing to vacate, and are leaving in small groups to the airport. In Jaipur, students are leaving after they were harassed and hounded by a mob. Speaking to Newsclick, a Kashmiri woman, requesting anonymity, said, “It started with a WhatsApp photo. A girl had put up a photo of the militant, and since then, the mob has gathered outside, and is asking us about the girl. College has assured safety, but the mob is wild and uncontrolled. We are very scared. We want safety till we reach the airport. We feel very unsafe.”

Another Kashmiri from Jaipur, who is working as a caterer, said, “We are intimidated here. In the morning, I received a call saying that situation is tense, and Kashmiri should go back to their state. When I asked for my pending wages, the owner said that you killed CRPF jawans in Kashmir, and hence, we won’t give wages to you. Instead of Rs 15,000, they are giving us me Rs 1,000. How will I go home like this?”

Meanwhile, saffron outfits are trying to utilise the sense of outrage at the Pulwama attack by inciting people to attack and throw out Kashmiris from their state. Newsclick has reviewed some of these anonymous pamphlets/posters in circulation.

On the other hand, Jammu has entered the third day of the curfew with relaxation in few areas for three-four hours. As the protests after Pulwama attack turned violent, a curfew was imposed in Jammu. The internet services have also been snapped. A few stray incidents of protests and stone-pelting were witnessed in Subash Nagar and Janipur of West Jammu. However, the curfew was relaxed for a few hours on Sunday.

A notification by the office of the District magistrate, Jammu reads, “Curfew imposed... is relaxed in the areas of the Police station (except P/P Nehru Market and P/P Digiana), Trikuta Nagar, Satwari, and Channi Himmat from 2 pm to 5 pm. However, restrictions under section 144 of CRPC shall remain imposed. All wine and bars shall remain closed.”

Speaking to Newsclick, an official said, “Whether the curfew will be extended or not, depends on how the society behaves.”

Meanwhile, many people have come out in public and have made accommodations available to help Kashmiri students. A woman, requesting anonymity, said, “My space is open for Kashmiri students who are distressed. We are together in this. We all are humans and humanity comes first.” Political parties in Kashmir have also launched helplines for Kashmiri students to connect in the time of distress.

Also read: Pulwama Attack Aftermath: Kashmiris Threatened and Attacked in Dehradun and Jammu