Hours after Kashmiri shawl sellers were harassed in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu’s office assured that an inquiry would be ordered into the matter. The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office has assured swift and decisive action following the communal harassment of two Kashmiri shawl sellers in Surjanpur Village, Hamirpur District.
This assurance came after the National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami, raised the issue with the Chief Minister’s Principal Media Advisor, Naresh Chauhan, urging immediate action against the reprehensible behaviour. Khuehami urged him that such actions have the potential to incite anti-Muslim sentiments and destroy the social fabric of the state. “This behaviour must not go unchecked. Social harmony and communal unity must be upheld at all costs,” he emphasized.
In the viral video, the wife of a local Sarpanch is seen threatening the Kashmiri shawl sellers, coercing them to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” and instructing villagers to boycott their business solely because of their religion. Such actions not only endanger the targeted individuals but also pose a serious threat to the communal harmony of the state.
Responding to the concerns raised by the JKSA, the Principal Media Advisor to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, informed Khuehami that incidents of harassment and intimidation of Kashmiris will not be tolerated under any circumstances. “The Chief Minister will order an inquiry into the matter, and we will ensure strict action against those responsible. We are committed to ensuring the safety of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in the state and Kashmiri labourers working here. They will not be harmed or harassed at any cost,” Chauhan said.
Khuehami welcomed the Chief Minister’s assurance, saying that communal bigotry has no place in a progressive and inclusive society. “This is not just about justice for the victims; it is about preserving the social fabric of our country. We hope the inquiry leads to concrete action and sends a strong message that communal harassment will not be tolerated,” he said. He urged the Himachal Pradesh government to act swiftly to uphold its commitment to inclusivity and ensure that all residents, regardless of their origin or faith, feel safe and respected in the state. (KDC)
