In spite of the government’s tremendous and sustained efforts to bring peace, development, and integration to J&K, certain entrenched sections of the Kashmiri populace regrettably continue to voice condemnation and dissent. Despite unprecedented investments in infrastructure, welfare schemes, and security operations aimed at neutralising radical elements and fostering normalcy, a vocal minority, often influenced by decades of separatist propaganda and external incitement, persists in resisting the region’s full embrace of the national mainstream. This ongoing defiance highlights the deep-seated challenges in overcoming an ideology of alienation, even in the face of demonstrable progress and sincere outreach from New Delhi.
In response to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Bharat launched ‘Operation Sindhu’ to safely evacuate its nationals from the volatile region. However, a familiar pattern of dissent has emerged following these humanitarian efforts.
After the tragic Pahalgam attack in Anantnag, J&K, on April 22, 2025, Kashmiri students in various Indian states had heavily criticised the government and administration, despite stringent security arrangements. This trend unfortunately continued even after their safe evacuation from the war zone in Iran, following Israeli strikes on June 18, 2025. Upon their arrival in Delhi on June 19, 2025, these Kashmiri students reportedly created a stir by demanding immediate flights back to Kashmir, rejecting the government’s significant efforts and harshly criticising the authorities.
This report compiles 13 such incidents from April to June 2025, highlighting instances where:
1. June 2025 – Part 1: Students evacuated from Iran complained against the Indian government (6 Incidents).
2. April 2025 – Part 2: Kashmiri students alleged attacks and criticised the government following the Pahalgam attack (7 Incidents).
Students evacuated from Iran complaining against the government- 6 incidents
On June 19, 2025, Dania, a Kashmiri student evacuated from Iran, expressed her frustration regarding the arrangements. Originally from Anantnag, Kashmir, Dania stated that they had been assured of plane or train travel for their onward journey. However, in an emergency, some individuals ended up booking their own tickets for Rs 20,000 and departed. She further explained that the initial buses provided were in poor condition, leading them to reject those. After waiting since morning, sleeper buses had finally been arranged for their travel.
On June 19, 2025, a Kashmiri student evacuated from Iran, who was departing for Jammu and Kashmir, expressed significant frustration with the travel arrangements. They stated, “It’s been 12 hours, and only now has the bus arrived. I hope future batches don’t face what we went through. We had to suffer a lot. Honestly, we suffered more here than we did while staying in Iran during the war.”
On June 19, 2025, Tanveer, another Kashmiri student evacuated from Iran, shared his mixed feelings about the provided transportation. He noted, “You must have seen that bus going to Kashmir from here… it wasn’t worth it. We had requested a better bus and were upset with the CM and the governor. But now that we’ve finally got a good bus, we’re happy too.
On June 19, 2025, a Kashmiri student who had returned from Iran expressed gratitude for the evacuation but disappointment with the onward travel. They stated, “We are happy as we didn’t expect that we would be back, such is the condition there (in Iran)… I hope the war will end soon, as our studies will also be completed, and Iran won’t have to suffer too much.” They added, “I am very thankful to the Indian government for the way they evacuated us; it was smooth. We faced no issues till now. But we have come to know that buses are being arranged for us from here. I think after travelling to 3 countries, we are not ready to travel by bus. I request our CM (of J&K) to facilitate us so that we can meet our parents at the earliest.”
On June 19, 2025, Omer, a Kashmiri student, spoke about the arduous journey and mixed feelings about the support received. He said, “We are tired after such a long journey. The central government and the Indian embassy did such a good job that we didn’t feel any problem – it wasn’t like we were being evacuated, as everything was so smooth.” However, he then expressed frustration with the local arrangements: “We hadn’t felt we would have any issue as we were to go home, and the state government would take care of it further. But the buses being provided are in such a bad condition. 2 hours back, CM Omar Abdullah tweeted about this, but nothing has happened yet…”
On June 19, 2025, Varda, a Kashmiri student evacuated from Iran, voiced strong disapproval of the transportation provided for their onward journey from Delhi. She stated, “The buses that have been provided are in such bad condition that even animals will not travel in them. We can’t go in such buses, and our safety could have been compromised.” While expressing gratitude for the initial evacuation, she added, “We are here (in Delhi) and for that we are thankful to the central government as they have evacuated us smoothly, we faced no problem till here, but we are having a problem here now…”
Alleged attacks on Kashmiri students after Pahalgam attack – 7 Incidents
Kashmiris in Uttarakhand Express Desperation to Return Home Amidst Threats
On May 10, 2025, Kashmiri students, teachers, and professionals in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, voiced their desperation to return home, citing threats and violence they faced following the Pahalgam attack. Irfan Shaukat, a BSc (Agriculture) student from Poonch, stated that he initially chose not to leave after radical elements issued threats, trusting the local administration’s assurances regarding their safety in Dehradun. However, Shaukat later found himself unable to return home due to unforeseen travel and security restrictions, with his family pleading for his return.
J&K student allegedly thrashed in Nagpur amidst rising tensions
According to an NDTV article, on April 27, 2025, a disturbing incident occurred in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Two first-year pharmacy students from Jammu and Kashmir, one identified as Mohd Waseem from Doda and another from Jammu, were reportedly walking back to their hostel in the Kamptee area. When one of the students stepped aside, a group of local residents confronted the other, demanding to know his place of origin. Upon his alleged reply of “Jammu and Kashmir,” he was violently attacked.
Kashmiri students migrate from Dehradun amidst alleged threats
On April 24, 2025, Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Student Association, reported that 36 Kashmiri students had migrated back home from Uttarakhand within the last 24 hours. Khuehami, who stated that over 2,000 students from Jammu and Kashmir study in Dehradun, attributed these departures to “provocative statements from Hindu organisations.”
Reports emerge of Kashmiri students facing harassment and eviction across North India
According to an article published by Siasat, on April 24, 2025, students at Universal Group of Institutions in Derabassi, Punjab, were allegedly attacked inside their hostel premises. Intruders reportedly barged into the campus at midnight and assaulted them with sharp objects.
Concurrently, reports of physical attacks and harassment targeting Kashmiri students also emerged from universities in Himachal Pradesh. Here, students were allegedly labeled “terrorists” and bullied into vacating their residences. Furthermore, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, landlords reportedly requested Kashmiri renters to leave immediately citing safety concerns, a pressure that purportedly led some workers and students to flee the area.
Al Jazeera reports on alleged harassment of Kashmiri students in India
On April 23, 2025, following the Pahalgam attack, Al Jazeera reported an alleged incident involving Aasif Dar, a Kashmiri student in Jalandhar, Punjab. Dar stated that as he and a friend approached an ATM, two unknown individuals questioned their ethnicity, causing them to panic and flee. The next morning, on April 23, while buying milk, Dar claimed three men saw him and hurled Islamophobic slurs. “One of them shouted, ‘He is a Kashmiri, everything happens because of them,'” Dar recounted.
Kashmiri shawl sellers depart Mussoorie after alleged assaults
Amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, on April 23, 2025, two Kashmiri men selling shawls on Mussoorie’s Mall Road were reportedly attacked and forced to show their IDs, being told to “leave.” According to The Indian Express, at least 16 shawl sellers from Kashmir have since left Mussoorie following this incident.
Kashmiri students in Punjab allege assault, forced to flee post-Pahalgam attack
On April 23, 2025, Kashmiri students in Punjab reportedly faced assault and harassment following the Pahalgam attack. The Wire reported an incident where Sanan Khurshid, a 20-year-old student at Rayat Bahra University in Mohali, was allegedly called a “terrorist” and verbally abused. Sanan stated, “They used abusive language against my mother and sister… I was completely shaken.” Additionally, another Kashmiri student studying at UGI was reportedly manhandled and dragged by her hair before managing to escape with a fellow Kashmiri student.
Ultimately, while the Indian government’s unparalleled commitment to J&K’s development and security is evident, the persistent condemnation from certain Kashmiri segments underscores a critical, ongoing challenge. Despite sincere efforts to integrate the region and foster widespread prosperity, a resilient undercurrent of dissent, often fueled by external narratives and historical grievances, remains. This highlights that true normalisation will require not only sustained governmental initiatives but also a decisive rejection of separatist ideologies by the populace, ensuring the region’s full and willing embrace of India’s democratic and developmental promise.
