Srinagar: A fresh report published by Al Jazeera has revealed a disturbing rise in attacks, harassment, and intimidation targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers and migrant workers across various Indian states, forcing many to choose between their safety and livelihood.
According to Kashmir24, the Al Jazeera reported that thousands of itinerant traders from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir travel across India during winter to sell shawls and handicrafts. However, in recent weeks, a spate of hate-driven attacks has compelled many to restrict their movement or return home.
The report cited the case of 18-year-old Tabish Ahmad Ganie from Kupwara district, who was allegedly assaulted with an iron rod by a shopkeeper in Uttarakhand’s Vikas Nagar area. A viral video showed the attacker making communal remarks while thrashing the youth, who suffered head injuries and fractures. Ganie told Al Jazeera that he was targeted “simply because of my identity as a Kashmiri Muslim.”
Another shawl vendor, Bilal Ahmad, was reportedly attacked in Uttarakhand’s Kashipur district after he refused to chant a nationalist slogan. Following the incident, he shut down his business and returned to Kashmir amid safety concerns.