I was thrown out, bag, baggage: Jammu and Kashmir student

Bengaluru: As the country seethes over the Pulwama attack, some miscreants from the Kashmiri student community have been putting the lives of their peers in danger by posting anti-India messages. These insensitive remarks on social media sites have forced many Kashmiri students out of their accommodation in the city, and they have now found shelter in the houses of their friends or relatives to avoid any unpleasant situations.

“I came home to see my bags and belongings kept outside the door with a number left on a piece of paper, asking me to contact the agent,” said Nafisa (name changed), a nursing student from Kashmir. Her college mate had posted an insensitive social media post which got her ousted from her service apartment, though she had no direct contact with those who have been arrested and slapped with sedition charges for posting 'anti-national' remarks, she told Deccan Chronicle.

She said that she called the number mentioned on the piece of paper, but no one answered. Then, she saw the text message on her phone which read: "You have to move out to another location and we have no other choice. You might know the reason already."

The 20-year-old then sent an SOS on social media groups, requesting for accommodation. Then much later on Saturday night, she was welcomed to the house of her friend's relative. Not just Nafisa, many from the troubled state have been sending distress messages since Saturday, seeking accommodation and help. They are being helped by some locals and Kashmiri youngsters settled in the city.

"It has created a sense of safety and camaraderie among Kashmiri students. It was heartening to receive a lot of positive responses from my friends and even people whom I'd never met. All of them were worried about my safety. Isolated messages against the Indian Army should not have been posted, and I strongly condemn them. I would like to be identified as an Indian first with the love for Tricolour and motherland and then as a Kashmiri," said Muhammed Manzoor, a postgraduate arts student.

Malik Fahd, an LLM student at Azim Premji University, said that he was cautious not to post any remarks on the Pulwama attack on social media. But his parents were worried about his safety and were trying to keep close tabs on his whereabouts.

He had a tough time convincing them that he was safe and the situation around him was peaceful. On some Kashmiri students posting derogatory comments on the Facebook, he said, "I'm in no place to judge them, but such remarks should not have been made when the nation is hurt. I had taken a personal initiative to reach out to my counterparts, suggesting to them to not engage with any of such posts or comments," he said.

Most college managements are yet to take a decision. But several student council members of various colleges said that small groups have been formed to keep Kashmiri students safe on and off campus, during and post-working hours.