A Business Rooted in Culture Turns into a Target
Shabir Ahmad Dar, a seasoned pashmina shawl seller from Indian-controlled Kashmir, has been selling in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, for over 20 years. His expensive, light-as-a-feather shawls have been popular among travelers for decades. To Dar, such traditional patterns are not simply commerce—more like beacons of home and heritage.
But in the aftermath of a deadly militant attack in Kashmir, that same identity has endangered him. India latest news indicates that Dar and another seller were brutally attacked by members of a Hindu right-wing organization, angry over the death of 26 civilians in Kashmir—a tragedy India has blamed Pakistan for, although Pakistan has denied the allegations.
Public Assault and Police Response
The attack was videotaped, with Dar and his co-worker beaten and taunted as their stand was trashed. "They said we were responsible for the attack and to leave the city," Dar explained. He has not returned to the site since. "Our inventory, which is thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, is still there—but we're too scared to return."
While three of the assailants were briefly held, they were let go after a fine and forced apology. The harm had already been done, however. Dozens of other Kashmiri shawl merchants—many of whom have been residents of Mussoorie for decades—also ran in fear.
Increasing Tensions Across the Country
The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest recent one on civilians, has brought a countrywide outcry. Victims, who are mostly Hindu, have become the center of grief and political concern. As a result, India latest news is filled with gruesome reports of Kashmiri students and traders being met with hostility in many Indian cities.
Kashmiri students have been chased off university campuses and beaten on streets in videos that have gone viral. In a single instance, the widow of an assassinated naval officer begged people not to take vengeance against innocent Kashmiris. "We want peace and only peace," she wished, so that no more divide is created.
Fleeing for Safety Amid Harassment
Ummat Shabir, a pupil nurse from Punjab, recalled the recent episode. She was being called a "terrorist" by her neighbors, and her classmate had been thrown out of a taxi when the driver noticed she was Kashmiri. "It took us three days to reach back to Kashmir," she told CNN-IBN. "We had no choice—we had to leave."
To others, too, Kashmir is not safe any more.
Crackdown in the Valley
Indian security forces responded with wholesale arrest, closure of over 50 tourist sites, and troop deployments, according to India latest news. They've also bulldozed homes of alleged militants, citing that they were terrorist-linked. The move drew ire, as residents called it "collective punishment."
Although officials rationalize the crackdown on security grounds, the local leadership is opposing it. Ex-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanded punishing the offenders but advised not to harm innocents. Mehbooba Mufti condemned the demolition in people's residences and emphasized separating militants from civilians.
Living Under Suspicion
"Whenever there's tension, we pay the price first," said a Kashmiri student who preferred not to be named. "We're treated as suspects, asked to leave, and are supposed to keep our lives on hold."
As the hunt for the criminals goes on, the Kashmiri people find themselves caught in the middle—ostracized in Indian cities elsewhere and fearful in their homeland. The saga remains unfolding, as India latest news reports the heightening fears and deepening fault lines of a population still looking for peace and security.