Jammu, Feb 3 (JKNS): The second day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s ongoing Budget Session witnessed a series of protests and motions by NC, BJP, and PDP legislators, highlighting concerns ranging from attacks on Kashmiris outside the Union Territory to demands for a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu and urgent intervention on hate crimes.
As per news agency JKNS, PDP MLA Muntazir Mohiddin joined the protest outside the Assembly complex, where ruling National Conference (NC) legislators strongly condemned repeated attacks, harassment, and intimidation of Kashmiri students, traders, and shawl sellers in various parts of India.
Raising slogans and holding placards, the legislators highlighted their grievances. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq held a poster reading, “Kashmiris are citizens, not suspects.” Other placards carried messages including, “Special status was a promise, not a privilege,” “Stop demonising Kashmiris,” and “Patriotism doesn’t mean hating and beating Kashmiris.”
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines, Tanvir Sadiq, as per JKNS, said, “While I was on my way to the Assembly, I came to know that a senior Kashmiri couple was harassed in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Sadly, this has become a repeated pattern. Wherever Kashmiris go, especially Kashmiri Muslims, they are being targeted and humiliated.”
He added, “In the name of a distorted idea of patriotism, Kashmiris are being beaten, abused, and treated as suspects. This is unacceptable in a democratic country. The Prime Minister and Union Home Minister must speak out clearly and issue strict directions to all states that harassment of Kashmiris will not be tolerated.”
The NC legislators demanded immediate intervention to safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of Kashmiris living, studying, and working across India.
Meanwhile, BJP legislators staged a protest inside the Assembly, pressing for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu.
As per JKNS, the MLAs raised slogans and urged the government to clarify the location of the proposed university, emphasizing that Jammu has long been deprived of premier educational institutions. Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma had earlier stated that the BJP would join students in intensifying the demand for the NLU, reflecting the aspirations of youth and the legal fraternity of the region.
Peoples Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone mocked the BJP protest, saying, “This is not a central university but a state university. The hype around it is unnecessary.”
PDP MLA from Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Para, submitted an adjournment motion seeking urgent discussion in the Assembly on the alarming rise of hate crimes and harassment of Kashmiri students and working-class citizens in mainland India.
As per the motion, Para said, “Kashmiri students living in hostels or rented accommodations, and laborers working in factories, hotels, and small establishments, have faced verbal abuse, threats, forced eviction, and physical assaults solely on account of their identity. These incidents have created widespread fear and insecurity among thousands of Kashmiri youth pursuing education and employment outside the Union Territory.”
He urged the House to demand immediate protection, ensure coordination with the Union Home Ministry and State Governments, establish helplines and safe accommodations, and send a strong message that discrimination and violence based on identity will not be tolerated.
The motion is expected to come up for discussion soon, underscoring PDP’s focus on safeguarding the rights and dignity of J&K citizens living outside the Union Territory. (JKNS)
