Soni Razdan, mother of Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, has made a passionate plea to keep Kashmiri students safe across the country. This was after several incidents of violence were reported against Kashmiri students and traders from across India.
Actor-producer Razdan wrote, “My dear India … we are hurt we are shocked & we r grieving. Let us do that with dignity and not hate and madness against those that are not perpetrators of insanity and violence. Please refrain from becoming what we despise. Let’s lead by example. Keep Kashmiri students safe.”
My dear India … we are hurt we are shocked & we r grieving. Let us do that with dignity and not hate and madness against those that are not perpetrators of insanity and violence. Please refrain from becoming what we despise. Let’s lead by example. Keep Kashmiri students safe ? https://t.co/nbKmEwekHg
— Soni Razdan (@Soni_Razdan) February 17, 2019
There have been several distressing reports of people of Kashmiri origin being attacked by miscreants in the aftermath of the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Thursday. Many Kashmiri students and traders from across India alleged on Saturday that they were being targeted by right-wing supporters, who wanted to avenge the murder of the CRPF soldiers in Pulwama.
A video of Kashmiri traders being abused and attacked in Bihar was widely shared on social media with journalists tagging Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to seek his intervention.
Kashmiri Traders being Beaten, Abused & Warned to leave in 24 hours, Pakistan must be Celebrating these Horrendous scenes from Bihar.
Come on, India is known for its Unity in Diversity, Let’s not tarnish the fabric of our Nation !!#PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/Zco2JevVkm— Aarti (@aartic02) February 16, 2019
Many social media users and activists on Twitter said that they had opened the doors of their houses for Kashmiris in distress. They also shared phone numbers urging the Kashmiris to contact them if they wished to take shelter in their houses.
My number is online and my DMs & doors are open to any #Kashmiris who need help or feel vulnerable. Those abusing and vilifying innocent citizens are sympathisers of terrorists in the garb of nationalists. They are reading from a script of hate which is totally what Jaish wants
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 17, 2019
Want to tell any Kashmiri student out there, if you are being targeted in any manner, feel free to call/DM me. My home and heart is open to you as are that of thousands of right thinking Indians.Let’s fight forces of violence together: you don’t have to bear the cross of terror.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 16, 2019
The CRPF, which lost 42 of its soldiers in the terror attack, posted an incredibly moving message asking Kashmiris to contact them if they felt threatened by an enraged mob anywhere in the country.
#Kashmiri students and general public, presently out of #kashmir can contact @CRPFmadadgaar on 24×7 toll free number 14411 or SMS us at 7082814411 for speedy assistance in case they face any difficulties/harrasment. @crpfindia @HMOIndia @JKZONECRPF @jammusector @crpf_srinagar pic.twitter.com/L2Snvk6uC4
— CRPF Madadgaar (@CRPFmadadgaar) February 16, 2019
42 soldiers were killed after a suicide bomber belonging to Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed blew himself with a car carrying more than 350 kgs of explosives in Pulwama on Thursday.
India has vowed to avenge the attack.