Ishfaq-ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR—Fear gripped Kashmiri students after being assaulted in different colleges across Punjab after India lost to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Several people barged into the Bhai Gurdas Institute of Engineering and Technology hostel in Punjab’s Sangrur district and thrashed students.
“Four Kashmiri students sustained injuries after thrashing in Bhai Gurdas Institute of Engineering and Technology in Punjab. I spoke to a few Kashmiris, and they told me students from UP and Bihar barged in their rooms. They said they went on a rampage and vandalized rooms, damaged the hall, and beat up others,” said Nasir Khuehami, national spokesperson of J&K Students Association.
Nasi said in a tweet that he was being threatened by university authorities and others for helping the Kashmiri students. They alleged that he has tarnished the image of the university.
Nasir said four more Kashmiri students were assaulted at Kharar, Mohali in Punjab. “All students are studying at Rayat-Bahrat University. They told goons thrashed them,” he said.
A video of students has now gone viral. In the video, one of the students accused the security guard of allegedly allowing a group of students from UP to enter and assault them. Later, Punjab Police officials reached the college and spoke to the Kashmiri students.
“It was distressing to hear about the incidents of physical & verbal assault against some Kashmiri students in a college in Punjab last night. I request @CHARANJITCHANNI Ji to direct @PunjabPoliceInd to look into this & also to reassure the students studying in Punjab,” tweeted Omar Abdullah, former chief minister.
SSP Sangrur Swapan Sharma said both sides have apologized in front of the police and college authorities this morning. “The issue has been settled,” he said.
Nasir, however, denied any settlement. “We spoke to students who were assaulted in Sangrur last night. They categorically denied it. This is false. They informed me there is no apology from any side till now,” he said.
Nasir tagged Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Twitter and sought his help to protect the life and property of Kashmiri students.
“Such incidents have increased the sense of insecurity and anxiety among Kashmiri youth studying and working outside. Therefore, we demand immediate arrest of all those involved in the assault on Kashmiri students and ensure adequate arrangements for our students’ safety and security. The attack on Kashmiri students by some goons is a worrying factor,” he said.
Sunday’s defeat has also become a rallying point for Hinduvata groups and ideologues to target Indian Muslims. Hate was also directed at Indian bowler Mohommad Shami for being Muslim.
“Pak minister Sheikh Rasheed and BJP leaders in Delhi and right-wingers trolling Shami are of the same ilk – trying to project Indian Muslims as pro-Pakistan,” tweeted journalist Aditya Menon.
“Firecrackers are banned during Diwali, but yesterday in parts of India, there were firecrackers to celebrate Pakistan‘s victory. Achha, they must have been celebrating the victory of cricket. Toh, what’s the harm in fireworks on Diwali. Hypocrisy Kyun, Saara gyaan tab hi yaad aata hai,” tweeted former cricketer Virender Sehwag.
Omar Abdullah said Shami was one of 11 players who lost last night. “He wasn’t the only player on the field. Team India, your BLM (Black Lives Matter) knee taking counts for nothing if you can’t stand up for your teammate who is being abused & trolled on social media,” he said.
