Kashmir is on boil with security forces and Pakistan backed stone-pelters clashing almost every day in the streets of the valley. Recently many videos went viral that showed how tensions are running high in the state. Among these, a video of CRPF jawans getting pushed around and insulted by Kashmiri youths went viral, causing much outrage among the public. Pictures of jawans bleeding and hurt badly in stone pelting also went viral, causing further anger against the stone-pelting Kashmiri youth.
While such videos and images show the other side (the mainstream media largely talks about the injuries to Kashmiri youths), it also gave opportunity to a few rather unknown groups to target Kashmiris in general. On Thursday, some media channels reported that a poster asking Kashmiri students to leave Uttar Pradesh was put up in Meerut:
Hoarding seen in Meerut city asking Kashmiri students in Uttar Pradesh to leave the state or face consequences. pic.twitter.com/eSltZ2489v
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 20, 2017
The poster was put up by an unheard-of outfit called “Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena”, which asked for “boycott” of Kashmiris and warned them of unspecified consequences if they didn’t leave Uttar Pradesh. The poster was criticised by many on social media too, as it was seen as a crude attempt to seek publicity by exploiting a sensitive issue.
It appears that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has taken notice of this and is taking it seriously. He took to Twitter to not only warn against such antics but also to appeal people not to target Kashmiris. He informed that his ministry will soon issue advisory to states to take action against people who target common Kashmiris for the deeds of the stone-pelters:
I appeal to everyone to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students living in other parts of the country. Kashmiris are a part of our family.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 21, 2017
The Kashmiri youth also contribute in the progress of India. Action should be taken by the states against those who target them.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 21, 2017
I have asked the HS to immediately issue an advisory to all the states to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 21, 2017
