The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Monday said that Kashmiri students in several northern states are facing profiling, eviction, and intimidation following the Red Fort blast in Delhi. The Association appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene publicly and stop the targeting of the community.
At a press conference at the Press Club of India, National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said, “A particular community is being targeted after the attack. Kashmiri students are being harassed in universities and residential areas in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. Many landlords have asked Kashmiri tenants to vacate their rooms, forcing several students to return home out of fear.”
Khuehami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Delhi blast, saying, “We strongly and unequivocally condemn this barbaric act of terror. Our heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. Their pain is our pain; their grief is the nation’s grief.”
He stressed that Kashmiri students have always rejected separatism, radicalisation, and violence, adding, “We have never condoned violence nor endorsed any secessionist tendency. Our commitment to peace, unity, national integrity, and harmonious coexistence is unwavering.” He highlighted the sacrifices of Kashmiri families for the country, noting that many have served on the borders and defended India’s sovereignty, and that Kashmiris have travelled across the country and been welcomed warmly.
Khuehami also said the Association is ready to cooperate with authorities to bring the perpetrators of the blast to justice. “Anyone involved in this heinous act is neither a friend of Kashmir nor of any religious community. Terror has no religion, region, or identity. Kashmiris want peace, dignity, and harmony within India and across South Asia,” he said.
He reaffirmed that every Kashmiri is an Indian and strongly opposed the harassment and profiling faced by students since the blast. “Kashmiri students contribute to India through universities, hospitals, laboratories, technology centres, public institutions, start-ups, and professional fields. They deserve safety, dignity, and reassurance that their identity will not be criminalised.”
Khuehami noted that while law-enforcement agencies must investigate freely, innocent Kashmiris should not bear collective suspicion. “Collective blame does not strengthen national security; unity, trust, fairness, and justice do. Investigations must proceed with balance, sensitivity, and impartiality.”
He said fear and anxiety among students have grown, with reports of profiling, aggressive questioning, and verification drives even in institutions unrelated to the case. “Many students have left campuses abruptly, disrupting their studies and examinations,” he added.
Urging Prime Minister Modi to intervene, Khuehami said, “The Prime Minister’s words have the power to unite minds and heal divisions. A clear, public reassurance would strengthen national unity and ensure Kashmiri students continue contributing meaningfully to India’s development.” He called for humane communication, confidence-building measures, and clear instructions to educational institutions and law-enforcement agencies to ensure students’ safety.
Khuehami also criticised online reactions after the blast, saying, “Social media was flooded with insinuations aimed at Muslims, particularly Kashmiri youth. Anonymous accounts recycled old prejudices. A climate has emerged in which Kashmiris are viewed as latent threats, expected to prove their loyalty repeatedly. Collective suspicion is unjust and dangerous.”
He concluded that strong statements from the Prime Minister are essential to acknowledge students’ anxieties, curb the spread of hate, and reaffirm constitutional protections. “The government must coordinate with universities, employers, and local administrations to ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiris nationwide. Strict action should be taken against anyone attempting to create communal discord or hostility,” Khuehami said.
