Yet another case of harassment of Kashmiri vendors has emerged in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra, where the seller has been accused of carrying an AK-47 rifle instead of shawls.
Surjeet Rajput Guleria livestreamed the entire incident, as reported by Siasat.com, on Facebook and is known for posting similar videos in which he claims to “verify” the identities of hawkers and tells those with Muslim names that they are not permitted to operate in the area.
Siasat.com further reports that the vendor identified as Mohammed Ramzan was threatened.
“They assured me that the accused will be summoned but didn’t register any FIR (first information report),” Ramzan said, as reported by Article 14.
Meanwhile, the police said that Guleria does not specifically target Kashmiri hawkers. “He does this—asking questions and livestreaming the interactions on his Facebook account—with all non-locals, including those from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,” the SHO said, as reported by Siasat.com.
The incident comes ahead of the case of 17-year-old Tabish, a Kashmiri vendor who was brutally assaulted and beaten.
The boy was first stopped and questioned about his identity. The situation snowballed violently after the attackers came to know that the family belonged to the Muslim community and was Kashmiri.
“The boy was beaten mercilessly, struck with iron rods, and punched repeatedly. Other family members were also dragged, slapped, and attacked,” the association said in a statement.
The assault led the victim to land in a hospital, which was later referred to Doon Hospital in Dehradun due to the severity of his injuries. The relative said that the blood was oozing from his head after the assault; his left arm has been reportedly fractured.
“This is a chilling reminder of how communal profiling, intimidation, and mob brutality are being normalized against vulnerable communities trying to earn a dignified livelihood during harsh winter months. An 18-year-old helping his family survive the winter by selling shawls was met not with humanity, but with hatred,” the post read.
The JKSA described the incident as communal profiling and mob violence against the family, who are vulnerable and trying to survive through seasonal work.
“This is a chilling reminder of how communal profiling, intimidation, and mob brutality are being normalized against vulnerable communities trying to earn a dignified livelihood during harsh winter months. An 18-year-old helping his family survive the winter by selling shawls was met not with humanity but with hatred,” the statement read.
“We strongly urge the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to intervene immediately, ensure the registration of a strict FIR, and book all the culprits under relevant sections of law. This case must be pursued with seriousness, and a clear precedent must be set so that such acts of hate and violence are not repeated with impunity,” it added.
