[dropcap]T[/dropcap]ODAY, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves on Thursday, February 21, 2019, mentioned before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi a plea seeking protection of Kashmiri residents living, working and studying in other parts of India, after the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14, 2019.
CJI Gogoi declined to hear the matter today; however, he said the matter may be listed for hearing tomorrow, February 22.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves mentions before the CJI Ranjan Gogoi a plea seeking protection of Kashmiri students after the Pulwama Attack. CJI declines to hear the matter today. Will be listed tomorrow for hearing.
— The Leaflet (@TheLeaflet_in) February 21, 2019
Background
Following the terror attack in Pulwama which killed 40 CRPF personnel on February 14, 2019, there have been several reports in media of incidents of violence against the Kashmiris living in different cities of India, by the rightwing Hindutva groups.
There were also sensationalised reports in media of Kashmiris condoning the attack on social media which in the current charged atmosphere further fueled the action of right wing groups.
In the wake of threats made to the Kashmirs, the CRPF set-up a helpline called “madadgaar”. As reported in the media, the CRPF’s Srinagar-based helpline ‘madadgaar’ has helped around 250 students studying in Dehradun, Chandigarh, Delhi and other cities to reach their homes safely, in the Kashmir Valley.
Prayer
Senior Advocate Gonsalves in his petition seek directions from the Supreme Court to prevent threats, assault, violent attacks, social boycott, ostracism, evictions and other coercive acts by groups and mobs against Kashmiris in the wake of the Pullwama terrorist attack on CRPF jawans.
He also prayed “to appoint a senior officer as a Nodal Officer in every state and union territory and in every sensitive district to prevent acts of violence and discrimination and vigilantism” and “to set up a single helpline through the country for the Kashmiris”.
