Srinagar, Sep 15 (KNS) The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene after its Kashmiri Pandit Wing President, Krishna Saproo, allegedly faced targeted harassment and intimidation in Pune City of the State.
In a statement issued, the Association said that Saproo, who has been actively working for the welfare of displaced Kashmiri Pandit students and youth, has been subjected to repeated threats and harassment by certain right-wing elements during and after a book discussion hosted at Pagdandi Book Café in Pune on "Loa’l Kashmir", authored by Mehak Jamal.
The Association alleged that Saproo has even been threatened with physical assault, with warnings that he would be “thrashed and beaten” if seen anywhere in Pune or beyond. It described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and a dangerous attempt to muzzle voices that stand for peace, dialogue, and democratic values.
National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, strongly condemned the harassment, saying that “Krishna Saproo has been tirelessly working for the upliftment of Kashmiri Pandit youth. Instead of support, he is being intimidated, threatened with assault, and vilified. This is unacceptable in a democracy like India, which prides itself on diversity of opinions and constitutional freedoms.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel”
The Association urged the Maharashtra Chief Minister to personally ensure Saproo’s safety and direct law enforcement agencies to take strict action against those responsible. “We call upon the State Police Chief and the concerned IG to provide adequate protection and carry out a fair, transparent investigation. Safeguarding those who work for marginalized communities is both a legal responsibility and a moral duty of the state,” the statement emphasized.
The Association further added that books, debates, and the free exchange of ideas are the lifeblood of any democracy. “India has always stood for intellectual freedom and the courage to engage with differing viewpoints. Threatening individuals for simply participating in a book discussion not only undermines constitutional traditions but also discourages youth from engaging in democratic discourse,” it noted.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Association said that, “We are living in a democratic country governed by constitutional values. Everyone has the right to speak, write, and think freely. Intimidation and threats against students, writers, or community leaders go against the very spirit of our democracy. Such acts must be condemned unequivocally.”(KNS)