A Kashmiri Muslim trader was assaulted by employees of a transport company in Punjab, India, amid growing fears over the safety of Muslims in the Hindutva-ruled country.
The victim, Mohammad Yaseen, from Kulgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir, has been trading walnuts and other dry fruits in Punjab for two decades.
Eyewitnesses say he was attacked after questioning the staff over a missing box of produce, and the violence escalated once his identity as a Kashmiri Muslim became known.
The incident took place on December 1 when Yaseen arrived in Ludhiana with 14 boxes and three bags of walnuts transported by bus from Jammu.
When checking the shipment, he discovered one box was missing. He questioned two employees of the transport company, who he says became aggressive and refused to cooperate.
“When I asked about the missing box, the staff became angry. I told them they could keep all the goods and I would speak to their owner in Jammu later. I did not want any conflict,” Yaseen told local reporters.
According to his complaint, several men nearby, some reportedly intoxicated, joined the argument. When they realised he was from Kashmir and a Muslim, the confrontation turned violent.
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The Indian men allegedly punched and kicked Yaseen, leaving him bleeding and requiring medical treatment. They also used derogatory language referring to his identity and religion.
Eyewitnesses told local media that the attack was not triggered by the dispute alone but by the discovery of Yaseen’s nationality and religion.
One witness, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said: “There was an argument, but when they heard he is Kashmiri, they became violent. That’s when they hit him — it was not about the box.”
Yaseen said this is the first time he has faced such hostility in Punjab, a state known for its diverse Sikh and Muslim communities and a long history of trade links with Kashmir.
“I have worked in Punjab for 20 years. I have always earned an honest living here. But Kashmiri people, not just in Punjab but in different parts of India, are being targeted without any reason,” he said.
Following the incident, Yaseen filed a formal complaint with Ludhiana Police, who have opened an investigation.
Senior officials have assured strict legal action against those responsible. Yaseen thanked the authorities for responding quickly: “We appreciate the police for taking the complaint seriously. I appeal to the authorities to act firmly so no innocent Kashmiri or Muslim trader faces such violence again.”
Rising anti-Muslim hate
Rights groups often criticise Indian police for failing to act in similar cases, especially when attacks target religious minorities. However, in this case, officers say they have already identified suspects.
Community leaders say the case is part of a wider pattern of harassment and violence against minorities in India, often justified using nationalist rhetoric.
Imran Khan, a local rights activist, said the assault reflects rising insecurity. “This incident should serve as a warning that minority safety cannot be taken lightly. People are being targeted because of their religion or where they come from.”
He added that similar attacks are being reported not only in states governed by India’s ruling BJP, a Hindu nationalist political party, but also in regions like Punjab, which have historically been viewed as more pluralistic.
Kashmiris often migrate to Indian cities for seasonal business, especially selling walnuts, saffron and dried fruits, which are a major part of Kashmir’s economy.
Since the Indian government revoked Kashmir’s limited autonomy in 2019, tensions between communities have increased, with Kashmiri students, traders and workers reporting intimidation and violence in several states.
Rights groups say Islamophobic hate speech spread online has contributed to suspicion towards Kashmiris.
Community organisations have urged the Punjab government to increase security measures for small traders, including CCTV surveillance at transport hubs and stricter monitoring of criminal gangs linked to such violence. Local Muslim groups in Ludhiana say they are supporting Yaseen and ensuring he receives medical and legal assistance.
For Yaseen, the incident has left a deep emotional impact. “I earn money through hard work. We travel far from our homes, leaving our families behind. All we want is dignity and safety,” he said.
As the investigation continues, activists say the case highlights the need for stronger legal protection and impartial policing to restore confidence among minority communities working across India.
This is not the first time Kashmiris have come under attack or faced stigmatisation in recent months. In November 2025, the National Conference, a major political party in Jammu and Kashmir, warned of “selective targeting” of Kashmiris across India after a car blast in Delhi led to communal profiling, according to The Times of India.
Just days ago, police in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, detained two young men solely on suspicion because they were Kashmiri, reflecting growing mistrust towards Kashmiris living or travelling outside the Valley.
These incidents, alongside the assault on the trader in Ludhiana, reinforce a wider pattern of insecurity and communal distrust faced by Kashmiris in different parts of India.
