Kashmiri Trader Beaten, Humiliated in Uttarakhand Town
A young Kashmiri shawl vendor was brutally assaulted by a group of men in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, on Monday, December 25, 2025. The incident gained national attention after the attackers themselves posted a video of the beating on social media.
The victim, 28-year-old Bilal Ganie from Kupwara, Kashmir, was targeted while traveling with his stock. The assailants, allegedly linked to a right-wing outfit, stopped him, demanded to know his origins, and then beat him when he refused to chant slogans like "Bharat Mata ki jai."
Attack Captured on Camera, Shared Online
The disturbing video was uploaded to Instagram by a man identified as Ankur Singh. It shows Ganie being surrounded and assaulted by five men who verbally abused him. The clip went viral before being deleted from the platform.
In his account, Ganie described a terrifying ordeal. "They asked me where I was from, to which I said I was from Kashmir. Then they began to hound me," he said. He felt his life was in danger when they asked him to go with them. He noted that bystanders did not intervene but instead encouraged the mob.
Fear of Reprisal Halts Pursuit of Justice
Despite filing a police complaint, Bilal Ganie has expressed deep fear about pursuing the case legally. He earns approximately Rs 60,000 over three winter months selling shawls in Uttarakhand, a crucial income for his family of carpenters who face little work in Kupwara during winter.
"As much as I want justice and condemnation for the act, I am scared of the consequences," Ganie stated. He is worried that a prolonged legal case would tie him to Uttarakhand when he needs to return home in two months, and he fears reprisals from the group.
Police Probe Underway, Accused Submit Apology
Circle Officer of Kashipur, Deepak Singh, confirmed that the video is under investigation. However, an FIR has not been registered yet as the process is ongoing. He added that the accused individuals have submitted a "mafinama" (a written apology/undertaking), promising not to repeat such actions.
The inaction has drawn criticism. The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association has written to Uttarakhand's Director General of Police, Deepam Seth, urging immediate action. Their letter calls for a fair investigation, the arrest of the culprits, and protection for Kashmiri traders, stating the attack has created an atmosphere of fear for seasonal workers from Kashmir.
Ganie, who has been working in Uttarakhand for eight years, is now staying indoors, traumatized by the event that has exposed the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers.
