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OpiniOn
Attacks on J&K students
may further alienate them
Most such clashes are a result of mutual suspicion with tension
Spotlight simmering over a period of time. It is, therefore, important that
regular counselling sessions be held with students to sensitise them
Vipin pubby
undreds of Kashmiri stu- to disturbed conditions prevailing in the
dents under the banner of Valley. At times it’s the parents who force
‘Jammu and Kashmir Stu- their wards to move out while many stu-
Former resident editor dents’ Organisation’ held dents themselves decide to pursue their
of The Indian Express, a massive protest demon- studies in ‘peaceful’ states.
Vipin Pubby is a senior H stration outside a private However, these reports had been
journalist based in institution in Punjab earlier this month causing serious concern among par-
Chandigarh. He can to protest against assault on a Kashmiri ents of the students studying in these
be contacted at student. This was the latest in a series of states. Recently a group of parents met
vipinpubby@gmail. incidents of attacks on Kashmiri students the Jammu and Kashmir Governor and
com. The views or clashes involving them in the recent asked him to intervene. The Governor,
expressed are personal years. Such incidents have been reported in turn, approached the union Home
off and on from various educational insti- Ministry, seeking appropriate steps to
tutions in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan curb the tendency. The ministry then
leading to serious concern and adverse issued a advisory asking all states to show
reactions, particularly in Kashmir. “utmost care and sensitivity” in handling
Earlier this month Ahtisham Bilal, a Kashmiri students and to “ensure their
23-year-old from Kashmir and a first year protection”. Evidently at the directive of
student of medical imaging technology the Governor, the Jammu and Kashmir
at Greater Noida’s Sharda University, was Police also launched a round-the-clock
beaten by a group of students in the Uni- helpline for Kashmiri students pursuing
versity premises. After one such incident courses outside the state.
in Haryana’s Mahendergarh town, in Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
which two students from Kashmir were subsequently issued a statement : “I ap-
allegedly thrashed by a mob, the police peal to all states, (that) they should ensure
arrested three persons even while the the safety of all Kashmiris everywhere in
state government insisted that the attack the country. They are also equal citizens
was a fall-out of a motorcycle accident. of India.” Close observers of the scenario
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was point out that most students who come
set up to inquire into the incident but its out to study in the neighbouring states
outcome was not made public. do so just after completing their school-
Most such attacks and clashes are a ing and are not mature enough to handle
result of mutual suspicion with tension sensitive situations. The increased use of
simmering over a period of time. There social media too plays its part in spread-
have also been instances in which some ing half truths and plain lies.
youth from the Valley were attacked after Besides there are instances like the
they celebrated Pakistan’s win over India latest one at Jalandhar where three
in cricket. It is well known that due to the students of a private institution were
continued turmoil in Kashmir, a large arrested for alleged terrorist activities.
number of students move out of the state Police had claimed that the three were
to study in nearby institutions in Punjab arrested and two weapons, including an
and Haryana. Most of the educational assault rifle and an explosive device, was
institutions within Kashmir had been seized from them. It had claimed that a
remaining shut for months together due module of Kashmiri terror outfit Ansar
Tehelka / 15 november 2018 30 www.Tehelka.com
30-31 Opinion Vipin Pubby.indd 2 02/11/18 11:24 AM