Kashmiri Shawl Sellers Targeted by Right-Wing Groups in India

Shawl sellers from IIOJK face increasing harassment, violence, and eviction in India, as right-wing groups continue their relentless campaign against them.

Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district are enduring severe harassment, assault, and threats from right-wing groups. These traders, who have been operating in the region for over three decades, are being targeted despite having proper documentation.

The situation has reached a boiling point, with sellers facing increasing pressure to leave the state. These right-wing groups have been systematically barring the shawl sellers from conducting their business, even though they are legally verified and registered. This ongoing harassment has created a climate of fear and uncertainty for the traders.

The pattern of violence is not new. This is the third such incident in recent months, highlighting the growing targeting of Kashmiri shawl sellers in the region. These actions have sparked outrage among the local civil society, who are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of the sellers.

Despite being legally registered and holding valid documents, the shawl sellers are finding themselves evicted from their rented spaces, with landlords being pressured to force them out. This pressure from right-wing groups is not just an attack on the sellers’ livelihood, but a deliberate attempt to push them out of the state.

Civil society members in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have raised their voices, demanding urgent intervention from the authorities. They have called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take immediate action and protect the rights of the Kashmiri traders.

The intimidation faced by these sellers is not just a violation of their rights; it is an example of how targeted violence is being used to drive them out of business. The situation has become dire, and the traders’ livelihoods are at stake.

It is evident that these right-wing groups are targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers as part of a broader campaign to push them out and undermine their presence in the region. The consistent attacks on these traders, who have been a part of the local economy for years, raise serious concerns about the growing climate of intolerance and violence in India.

The authorities must act swiftly to end this harassment and ensure that Kashmiri shawl sellers can continue their business without fear. The harassment must stop, and the traders’ rights must be protected.