The Congress on Thursday condemned the assault of a teenage Kashmiri boy in Uttarakhand and said the incident reflects a growing climate of hate and division in the country. The party said the boy was attacked only because of his identity as a Kashmiri Muslim.
In a statement shared on social media, the Congress said a 17-year-old boy, Tabish Ahmed, was beaten with iron rods while he was selling Kashmiri shawls to earn a living. “His only fault was that he was from Kashmir,” the party said, calling the attack shocking and inhuman.
The Congress blamed the rising incidents of violence on what it described as divisive politics since 2014. “Since 2014, such incidents have increased day by day as Prime Minister Narendra Modi relies on dividing society to stay in power,” the party said. It added that hatred and fear were weakening the social fabric of the country.
The party said these attacks were no longer isolated incidents and were happening repeatedly, particularly in states ruled by the BJP. “People are being misled and turned against each other for political gain. This is tearing our society apart,” the statement said.
Recalling earlier times, the Congress said people across India once welcomed Kashmiri shawl sellers with warmth and respect. “There was a time when our Kashmiri brothers were greeted with smiles and affection. Those days now seem to be fading,” it said.
Raising serious questions about the direction the country is taking, the party asked, “Where are we heading as a nation, and why are we being taught to hate our own brothers and sisters because of their religion or region?”
The Congress urged citizens to stand against hatred and appealed to the BJP-led government to act firmly. “The government must take strict action, hold the perpetrators accountable, and ensure justice for the victim and his family,” the party said.
