A wave of student-led protests swept through Srinagar on Friday as demonstrators condemned the growing harassment of Kashmiri students across India in the wake of the recent Pahalgam incident.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest drew students from various schools and colleges who marched through parts of the city, demanding immediate intervention from authorities to halt the rising hostility against Kashmiri youth. The protest was also backed by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student arm of the Indian National Congress.
Holding placards reading “Stop Targeting Kashmiri Students” and “Ensure Safety Across Campuses,” demonstrators accused the Indian state of failing to protect Kashmiri students from assaults and threats. They emphasized that the attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a growing pattern of anti-Kashmiri sentiment.
“Since the Pahalgam incident, we’ve recorded at least 17 cases of violence and intimidation against Kashmiri students in various Indian states,” said one student leader. “This isn’t just harassment—this is a systematic campaign that puts our futures at risk.”
Protesters called for swift action against those responsible and urged universities and law enforcement agencies across India to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiri students pursuing education outside the region.
Authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the protest or the alleged incidents of harassment.