The 27-year-old research fellow at Department of Science and Technology, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) staying at Maliya Bhavan hostel found threats written on the door of his room and on his clothes as well. DH photo
A Kashmiri researcher studying in BITS Pilani, Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, was forced to leave the campus after he was badgered by unknown persons.
On Friday morning, the 27-year-old a research project staff returned to his home in Bandipora district of Kashmir Valley after facing abuse and threat to his life.
Hashim Sofi, a 27-year-old a research project staff, a JRF in the Pharmacy, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) staying at Maliya Bhavan hostel found threats written on the door of his room and on his clothes as well.
The unknown threats not only made him scared but also forced him to leave the campus and return to his home in Bandipora district of Kashmir.
Hashim told DH over the phone, “When I woke up on Friday morning I was shocked to see the door of my hostel room inked with threats and abuses. I straightaway went to my warden and narrated the incident. I was asked to concentrate on studies. But when I went to my balcony to collect my clothes, I was speechless to see threats written on them too. I fail to see why there is such animosity towards Kashmiris.”
The young researcher, who had enrolled under Dr Anirudh Roy just 3 weeks ago once again met the hostel superintendent, Mahaveer and explained the incident. “Warden told me that there are some miscreants in the campus and I was shifted to new accommodation by Friday noon. But when I updated my parents, they asked me to return as they thought I am unsafe in the campus”, he added.
Hashim's parents are happy top see their son but at the same time, he can see his long yearning dream dying, “I had really worked hard to get the admission in BITS. But now I am sure my parents will not send me there. I will have to work hard once again and look for new opportunities”, the young researcher told Deccan Herald.
Hashim's Father, a government servant with the Telecom Department told DH, "We were scared of losing our child. We are happy to have him back with us. The recent Mewar University incident and other such incidents taking place against Kashmiri students across India have left parents in a state of worry and distress."
Institute to form committee
When DH contacted BITS Pilani, both Vice Chancellor, Prof. Souvik Bhattacharyya and Director Prof. Ashoke Kumar Sarkar, were unavailable for comment. However, the BITS Pilani Media Relation Officer confirmed to DH that the management is looking into the matter and will share the findings soon.
"The Chief Warden met and assured all assistance and help to the concerned project fellow. The enquiry report of the Chief Warden was submitted to the Associate Dean, SWD. Meanwhile, on 23 April, we have learnt that Mr Sofi is not available in his allotted quarters and has left without informing his Project Investigator and other authorities of the institute. However, the institute has taken a very serious note of the news item and has asked the standing committee on student affairs to further investigate the matter and report back swiftly", Giridhar Kunkur Media relation Officer at BITS issued a statement.
Incident took place on the same day as Home Minister's appeal
This is the second such incident of badgering against Kashmiri youth studying in Rajasthan in last three days.
The incident took place on the same day when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a statement appealed to all states to make sure safety of Kashmiris and released a 24X7 helpline number for Kashmiris living outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Hours after his statement Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje also assured support and wrote on her twitter handle that “Kashmiri students are our children. Police have taken prompt action & apprehended the culprits”.
Both statements came in the wake of Mewar University incident, where 8 Kashmiri students were thrashed by the locals outside the campus. Rajasthan police have so far arrested two locals in connection to this thrashing incident.