Kashmiri Traders Face Rising Hostility and Attacks Across India

Fear and discrimination haunt Kashmiri traders as rising violence and economic boycotts threaten their safety and livelihood across India.

Kashmiri traders, especially shawl sellers, are increasingly facing harassment, threats, and violence in various Indian states. For many, these troubling experiences are becoming a daily reality, leaving them fearful for their safety and future.

Munawar Shah, a 45-year-old shawl seller from Kupwara, recalls a chilling encounter in Himachal Pradesh. He was stopped by two motorcyclists who demanded his ID. When he resisted, they threatened him, asking him to leave and not work there again. Shah believes his connection to their “senior” saved him from being assaulted. However, he feels the treatment of Kashmiris has worsened over the years. “Being Kashmiri and Muslim makes us vulnerable. We no longer feel safe,” he laments.

Every winter, thousands of Kashmiri traders travel to different Indian states to sell shawls and dry fruits, relying on this income to sustain their families. But increasingly, hostility towards them has grown, especially after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose to power in 2014. Many Kashmiris report facing discrimination, with Hindu right-wing groups calling for boycotts of Muslim traders.

Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the J&K Student Association, highlighted that since 2019, at least 21 Kashmiri traders have been harassed in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana. He said many incidents go unreported due to lack of access to smartphones or fear of repercussions.

Several violent attacks underline this disturbing trend. Shafi Khoja, a father of four, was brutally stabbed and robbed in Punjab, leaving him bedridden and unable to earn. Similarly, Fareed Ahmad, another trader, was attacked, beaten, and left traumatised, his livelihood stolen. Many Kashmiri traders now avoid going out alone, terrified of targeted assaults.

The harassment extends beyond traders. Kashmiri students, too, have faced eviction threats, physical assaults, and even sedition charges, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Politicians and activists argue that the government’s promise of integrating Kashmir with the rest of India has failed, with Kashmiris being further marginalised instead.

Incidents such as being forced to chant slogans, being called terrorists, or labeled outsiders have become common. Videos of public humiliation and boycotts spread quickly on social media, while FIRs filed after violent incidents rarely bring justice, leaving victims feeling abandoned.

Many traders, like Shah, Ahmad, and Khoja, express a growing desire to return to Kashmir despite the economic hardship, preferring safety over facing constant hostility. However, debts and family responsibilities force them to stay, risking their lives in the process.

The portrayal of Kashmiris in mainstream media and popular cinema further fuels negative stereotypes, linking them to terrorism and anti-national sentiments. Activists argue that such propaganda, combined with political narratives, has created a dangerous environment for Kashmiris across India.