How Long Will Kashmiris Suffer?

On 14 February 2019, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy moving from Jammu to Srinagar was attacked by a suicide bomber with an explosive-laden vehicle near Awantipora, Pulwama, Kashmir. The attack resulted in the death of 49 CRPF personnel. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attack has been widely condemned by individuals and communities across the country. But, the consequences in its aftermath seem to be worsening the already disturbed situation, as the Kashmiri community is being targeted across the country, especially in North India.

On 16 February 2019, 15–20 female students from the Valley locked themselves in one of their hostel rooms in Dehradun after a mob surrounded the hostel. This incident happened a day after 12 students from Kashmir were thrashed in Dehradun by members of right-wing groups, including Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The fearsome mob, armed with sticks and stones, were calling them traitors and demanding apologies. Slogans like “Hindustan ke gaddaron ko goli maro” (Shoot the traitors of the country) were being continuously raised against the women hostellers.