Hindutva group threatens Kashmiri Muslims in Uttarakhand: leave state or face consequences

The Uttarakhand police have beefed up security for the safety of Kashmiris and Kashmiri students after a threat video from the Hindutva right-wing group Hindu Raksha Dal urged Kashmiri Muslims to leave the state by 10 am on Wednesday or face unprecedented consequences in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Dehradun police confirmed that they have intensified security arrangements across the city and have removed 25 provocative social media posts in response to the threat, according to The Indian Express.

In the viral video, Lalit Sharma, the leader of the Hindu Raksha Dal, claimed that the terror attack had saddened them and threatened Kashmiri Muslims with severe consequences if they did not vacate the state by 10 am on Wednesday.

The message sparked alarm among Kashmiri students studying in various institutions in Dehradun, with reports emerging that some left for the airport, fearing potential violence, while others stayed back to attend exams despite growing concerns.

Police officials stated that they are in close coordination with educational institutions, including deans and wardens, to ensure the safety of all students, particularly those from Kashmir, and assured that strict legal action would follow against any individuals or groups attempting to instigate communal tension.

The incident has revived memories of February 2019, when Kashmiri students were targeted in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, with mobs allegedly linked to right-wing groups attempting to enter college campuses. The current threats have led to renewed apprehensions, with student organisations working to monitor the situation and provide assistance to those affected.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association have reached out to both state authorities and the police, urging intervention to safeguard students and prevent a repeat of past hostilities.