Kashipur: A 28-year-old Kashmiri shawl seller, Bilal Ahmad Ganie, was reportedly assaulted and intimidated by individuals alleged to have links with the Bajrang Dal in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand.
Ganie, who has resided in the Kashipur area for nearly a decade, was allegedly humiliated, beaten, and coerced into chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’ A video surfacing from the incident reportedly shows a man, identified as Ankur Singh, demanding Ganie shout the slogan, stating, “You eat and earn from India, so say ‘Bharat mata ki jai’.” The footage was allegedly posted to Singh’s Instagram account before being deleted.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, who have demanded immediate legal action.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to the Uttarakhand Director General of Police, urging strict measures against the accused. The association claimed that in addition to the assault, Ganie’s stock of shawls was looted, and he received death threats.
“Despite his long-standing presence and peaceful conduct, he was brutally assaulted,” the JKSA wrote, appealing to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure an FIR is registered and the culprits arrested. They emphasized that Kashmiris are equal citizens entitled to constitutional protection.
Prominent leaders from Jammu and Kashmir have expressed deep concern over the attack.
Srinagar Lok Sabha MP and National Conference leader Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the incident on X, stating that coercing citizens to prove patriotism through compelled speech violates human dignity and constitutional freedoms.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti also urged the Uttarakhand DGP to intervene. She noted that despite the victim approaching the Pratappur Goshala police station, no FIR had reportedly been registered initially. “Urge the DGP Uttarakhand to kindly intervene and ensure that an FIR is registered so that the perpetrators are held accountable, and such incidents are not repeated in the future,” Mufti posted.
Her daughter, PDP leader Iltija Mufti, issued a strong statement, criticizing the involvement of right-wing groups and remarking that "Gandhi’s India is on the verge of death."