Kashmiri Muslim trader harassed, forced to prove loyalty in India

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Kashmiri Muslim hawker was publicly harassed and verbally abused in northern India’s Himachal Pradesh, after a man claiming to have served in the Indian Army stopped him in a public space and questioned his right to work, triggering widespread outrage after the video went viral on social media.

The victim, identified as Ayub, had travelled from Kashmir to sell shawls and winter clothing — a long-established seasonal livelihood for thousands of Kashmiri traders who depend on travel across India to survive economically. Many of these hawkers are Muslims and say their work increasingly exposes them to suspicion, harassment, and abuse.

In the video, recorded on Thursday, the man repeatedly interrogates Ayub about his presence, claims to have served in Indian- administered Kashmir for 13 years, and accuses Kashmiris of supporting violence. He is heard saying, “You people throw stones at the army,” a sweeping accusation often used to stigmatize Kashmir’s Muslim population.

Ayub is seen responding calmly, attempting to defuse the situation by asserting his identity and legality. “I am a poor man. I have come here to work.” he says. When asked if he had permission to work in the area, Ayub replied that he had clearance from local authorities and carried valid documents.

Despite this, the man continued to insult him, using abusive language linked to Ayub’s religion and accusing Muslims of spreading extremism. Throughout the exchange, Ayub is repeatedly forced to defend his loyalty to India and justify his existence — a dynamic rights advocates say has become routine for Kashmiri Muslims travelling outside the region.

The incident is not isolated. Over recent years, multiple cases have been reported of Kashmiri hawkers being threatened, assaulted, or driven out of towns across India, particularly following spikes in political tension or militant attacks in Kashmir. Traders say they are often treated as suspects rather than citizens, regardless of their documentation or conduct.

Rights groups and analysts warn that such incidents reflect a broader climate in which Muslims — especially those from Kashmir — are routinely asked to prove their patriotism. This demand, they say, is rooted less in security concerns and more in deepening religious and regional prejudice.