Amid escalating threats and growing hostility in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Kashmiri students across India find themselves gripped by fear, torn between their pursuit of education and the need to protect their lives. The rising anxiety has triggered urgent political intervention and a flurry of efforts to ensure their safety, reports Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
In the wake of threatening videos and escalating fear among Kashmiri students enrolled in educational institutions across India, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah deployed his cabinet ministers to various states. “To instil a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country,” Omar wrote in a Twitter post. “The purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective state governments and ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents. The J&K Government will stand with its people—anywhere, everywhere.”
Tragedy Aftermath
April 22, 2025, will forever haunt Kashmir. In a single, shattering day, 26 innocent lives were lost, five killed instantly, the rest succumbed to their wounds in the hours that followed. What began as the chilling crackle of gunfire spiralled into a national tragedy, its reverberations reaching far beyond Kashmir’s borders.
Hundreds of miles away, Kashmiri students now live in fear. Anxious and unable to sleep, many face threats or demands to leave. Hostels once filled with youthful energy now carry the weight of unease. For some, the pursuit of education has become a test of endurance.
Newsrooms across Kashmir have been inundated with distress calls. “Do you know when the train will run? We want to come back home. We are scared of staying here,” said a student from Amritsar over the phone. “My friends in other colleges say they are being threatened. We are scared to even move out. People stare at us as if we have done something wrong.”
As tensions spread following the Pahalgam massacre, Kashmiri students outside Jammu and Kashmir find themselves caught in a storm of uncertainty. Helplines buzz nonstop, and student leaders work tirelessly to ensure their safety is prioritised.
From the Ground
A law student in Punjab, originally from Anantnag, said she had not attended classes for three days. “The fear is looming over us. I cannot go back home because I cannot afford to—my father is a labourer, and I cannot buy flight tickets. I have no choice but to stay here and try to survive.”
Her family, she added, is deeply worried. “I did not even go to eat because I was so scared. I am afraid.”
While many students report no direct threats, fear remains pervasive. “Things are normal where I stay,” a Kashmiri student in Delhi said. “My friends and relatives across Delhi say the same.” However, he admitted that social media posts and probing questions about Kashmir had heightened his anxiety.
His parents have urged him to return home. “They are concerned. They said I should come back and return for my exams later,” he said. His semester exams begin on May 7, but for now, he has chosen to stay. “There is nothing that has happened that would make me leave. So I am staying.”
He, like others, has saved helpline numbers shared by Jammu and Kashmir House—precautionary measures in an uncertain time.
Navigating Fear
Another Kashmiri student in Punjab said the atmosphere had shifted subtly in recent days. “There has been no incident, but things feel different,” he said. “It is hard to explain. You notice changes in how people behave, how they look at you.” Though he had not faced direct hostility, the unease lingered. “I was feeling tense. It is something that stays in the mind.” He mentioned staying in touch with 10 to 12 other Kashmiri students scattered across the city. “We do not stay together, but we are in contact.”
A female student based in Bangalore said the situation in southern India appeared stable. “There is nothing serious happening here. Nothing that is directly troubling us.” Yet, she admitted, anxiety persisted. “We are all scared on a personal level. Our parents are scared, too.” Despite the outward calm, her parents had advised caution. “We were told not to go out much, to avoid contact, and not to engage in conversations that may lead to trouble.” She and her peers had chosen to remain indoors. “Just for our safety.” She confirmed keeping in touch with other Kashmiri students in the city but had not used any helpline numbers. “I have saved a few that were shared, but I have not contacted anyone.”
Panic and Threats
Ummar Jamal, a student activist, said he had barely slept in 48 hours. “I was receiving calls till 3 in the morning. Hundreds of students are calling, terrified. Their only question is, ‘Are we safe?’” The panic, he explained, stemmed from a threatening video circulating after the Pahalgam attack, warning Kashmiris to leave or face violence.
In Dehradun, a similar threat from the Hindu Raksha Dal intensified fears. Its leader, Lalit Sharma, issued a video statement: “The incident in Pahalgam has hurt us. If we see any Kashmiri Muslims in the state after 10 am tomorrow, we will give them the right treatment. We will not wait for the government. Kashmiri Muslims, leave by 10 am, or you will face action you cannot imagine.”
The Dehradun police confirmed the complaint and urged students to report threats via helpline numbers. Jamal said the video had left students too frightened to leave their hostels. “Some are considering abandoning their studies mid-semester just to get home.”
Heightened Anxieties
Jamal’s Students Association activated ten helpline numbers to address student concerns, with Umar personally managing one line. The phones had barely stopped ringing since the crisis began. While no official figures exist regarding Kashmiri students studying outside the region, Umar recalled that approximately 10,000 had registered with the J&K government for evacuation during the COVID-19 outbreak. “That gives you a rough idea,” he said. “Thousands remain enrolled across various states, particularly in engineering and law colleges.”
Beyond immediate safety fears, students grappled with pressing practical dilemmas. “They ask how long they should stay indoors, what to do about upcoming exams,” Umar explained. “Some booked tickets home but now fear travelling. It is not just fear—it is paralysis.”
Though reports of physical violence remained scarce, instances of verbal harassment and intimidation had increased. “Most incidents so far are verbal, but we cannot dismiss them,” Umar cautioned. “The situation could escalate rapidly. Precautions are critical.” He confirmed no students had sustained physical injuries in recent events, yet the pervasive tension kept the community on edge.
In some states, authorities responded swiftly. After students raised concerns in Uttarakhand, Umar contacted the Director General of Police directly. “The DGP assured immediate action, and police implemented safety measures,” he said. The Jammu and Kashmir government also issued additional helpline numbers, though for many students, assurances alone proved insufficient.
“We receive constant requests from students wanting to return home,” Jamal said. “We urge the administration to arrange secure transport until tensions ease.” The crisis exacted a personal toll on him and his team. “I was awake until 5 AM,” he admitted. “Our greatest fear is further escalation. These students came to study, not to endure threats. They should not suffer for events beyond their control.”
A Kashmiri student in Delhi reported that his immediate area remained calm, though locals had advised him to leave. “Outside my locality, the situation differs, but here, nothing has occurred,” he said. His college friends made light of the circumstances, but their remarks unsettled him. “I know they joke, but it lingers in the mind.”
Though unharmed, he acknowledged the pervasive anxiety. “Last night, we were tense—reports from Kolkata and Jammu mentioned hostel attacks. I do not know if the videos were real, but they spread panic.” His roommate had friends in Jammu who claimed to have been targeted, compounding fears. His family urged him to return if conditions deteriorated, but for now, he remained. “People here are preoccupied with work,” he said. “No major incidents have happened.”
Rising Tensions
The Students Association has established large WhatsApp groups to maintain contact with students across India. “We have asked everyone to report any harassment or intimidation immediately,” one representative said. “When we receive a report, we communicate it to local authorities.”
Umar, a spokesperson, has appealed directly to the central government and the Union Home Ministry. “We request the Home Minister to issue a public advisory urging calm and peace,” he said. “The perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack aim to disrupt India’s social fabric. We must not let them succeed.”
Jamal, another advocate, is calling for a special team under the Home Ministry to investigate nationwide cases of student harassment. “There are far too many incidents—this demands a coordinated national response,” he emphasised.
Until tensions ease, Jamal insists the government must take proactive steps to support affected students, moving beyond statements to concrete action.“This is not just about law and order—it concerns mental health, academic futures, and basic dignity,” he said. “If a student feels unsafe and wishes to return home, they must be assisted, not ignored.”
One student in Punjab reported no personal incidents but recounted a friend’s experience: “During a trip to an ATM, he was questioned about his identity. When he said he was Kashmiri, he faced verbal abuse. Others I know have not encountered such hostility.”
As the situation develops, Kashmiri students across India find their education overshadowed by fear, and their calls for assistance growing more urgent.
Amid increasing reports of harassment targeting Kashmiri students, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed on Thursday that the state government is actively engaging with the issue.
On X, Abdullah stated: “The JK government is in contact with the states where these incidents are occurring. I have also reached out to fellow Chief Ministers, requesting heightened vigilance.”
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti echoed these concerns, revealing she had spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah. “I expressed my condolences to the families of the Pahalgam attack victims and urged his intervention,” she said. “Certain elements are openly threatening Kashmiri students and traders—this cannot be ignored.”
Protection Demanded
Sajad Lone, chairman of the People’s Conference, expressed concern over the treatment of Kashmiri students and called for central government intervention. “There have been numerous incidents across India where Kashmiri students face harassment, physical assaults, and even eviction threats,” Lone stated in a post on X. “I urge the Union government to guarantee their safety.”
In response to these reports, the Jammu and Kashmir Resident Commission in New Delhi launched a dedicated helpline for Jammu and Kashmir students studying elsewhere in India. The service aims to aid and ensure the welfare of those in distress.
Intervention
Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a senior National Conference leader and MP from Srinagar, pressed the state government to take further measures to safeguard Kashmiri students outside the region. Speaking to the media after an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 25 tourists and a resident, Mehdi stressed the urgency of the situation.
“The security of Jammu and Kashmir residents, particularly students in other states, must be prioritised,” Mehdi said. “Many are stranded and pleading for help, with reports of such incidents emerging from multiple locations.”
He urged the Chief Minister to deploy additional officials to assist students and coordinate their safe return if required. “We have asked the government to send representatives to various states to support those who wish to come back and to liaise with local authorities for their protection,” he added.
The meeting primarily focused on the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents, especially students studying outside the region.
