SRINAGAR, JAN 30 (KNS): In a sharp critique following the alleged brutal assault on a minor Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand, People’s Conference President Sajad Gani Lone on Friday questioned the "selective anger" and prevailing "national silence" over repeated attacks on Kashmiris outside the Valley.
Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Lone expressed grave concern over the pattern of incidents. He stated that the Indian public has reached a "certain tolerance level" and is not raising its voice adequately when residents of its own country are targeted.
“These attacks are happening in Uttarakhand and Himachal. Even before this, incidents have occurred elsewhere against Kashmiris—except in Punjab, where our people are mostly based, and also in Bengal. I am absolutely grateful to these two states; they never do such things,” Lone said, highlighting a stark regional contrast.
Taking a dig at political dispensations, he added, “I am surprised—in Himachal, there is a Congress government, yet attacks happen repeatedly there too.” However, he emphasized that the issue transcends party politics.
“The biggest issue is that the Indian public has reached a certain tolerance level. They are not raising their voice as much as they should.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWhen the residents of this country are being targeted, where is that anger? Why are our people being attacked?” Lone questioned.
The PC President lamented the isolation of Kashmiris, pointing out that even within Jammu and Kashmir, the expected outrage is confined. “That anger is not visible elsewhere. All the anger is in Kashmir. Leave Kashmir aside; even in our own Jammu division, there is no such anger asking why Kashmiris are being targeted. Kashmiris have been isolated like this, which is not a good thing. I wish today’s rulers would understand that this has long-term implications and is not good,” he said.
Lone described Kashmiris working across India as “ambassadors of integration” and warned that mistreating them sends a damaging message, particularly against the complex backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir.
“To be honest, the anger and reaction that should come from the Indian public in the rest of the country is not there. Perhaps they too have developed tolerance—a ‘let it be’ attitude,” he concluded, underscoring a worrying national apathy.
The remarks come amid renewed scrutiny over the safety and integration of Kashmiri citizens across India, following a series of concerning incidents. (KNS)