For the Kashmiri students studying in various colleges and universities outside J&K who faced physical assault and harassment by mobs there in the wake of Pulwama attack that left more than 40 CRPF personnel dead, the Sikh community came as a ray of hope providing them every facility for their safe return to valley.
The Sikh community in Jammu also opened their houses and Gurudwara for the Kashmiri families whose vehicles were torched and who faced mob assaults following an attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama last week.
A large chunk of Kashmiri passengers stranded in Jammu were given shelter in Gurudwara and provided with food at various Lungers opened by the Sikh community, sources said.
Besides, Khalsa Aid International came as a ray of hope for Kashmiri students who were in despair after being beaten by mob and thrown out of their rented accommodation in Dehradun, Uttrakhand and Haryana, sources said.
In entire India, Khalsa Aid was the only organisation that came to the rescue of Kashmiri students and pressed all their vehicles to ferry them to Kashmir. With this, the Khalsa Aid kept the tradition of helping people in despair, alive.
Khalsa Aid International is a UK-based humanitarian relief charity providing support around the world to victims of natural and man-made disasters such as floods, earthquakes, famine and war.
“We pressed into service around 30 vehicles to ferry more than 300 Kashmiri students to their homes. We also arranged air tickets for around five girls from Bathinda Punjab to Jammu as they were not ready to go by road citing insecurity,” said Amarpreet Singh, director Khalsa Aid international.
The love and affection extended by the Sikh brethren was acknowledged in Kashmir as social media was flooded with appreciation for the Sikh community.
“Once again the behaviour of the Sikh community has reposed our faith in Humanity. These beautiful people opened their homes and hearts when Kashmiris were hounded (sic),” Jehangir Ali, a senior journalist wrote on Facebook.
Former Chief Ministers of Omar Abdullah acknowledged the help of Sikh community on his twitter handle. “The Sikh sangat has gone above & beyond the call of duty in reaching out & helping Kashmiris in distress, whether in Jammu or outside the state,” Omar wrote on twitter.
PDP president and former CM, Mehbooba Mufti also wrote on Twitter. “I salute our Sikh brethren who came to the aid of young Kashmiris all over the country. Admire their exemplary spirit to serve with utmost dignity & fortitude…”
Besides appreciation, the social media was also flooded with various offers and discount for the Sikh community as well. The offers varied from free coaching, free medical check-up and special discounts in various departmental stores throughout Kashmir.
“Free coaching for Sikh students in eternal coaching centre Anantnag in medical and non-medical subjects,” read a post on Facebook with all contact details of coaching centre.
Doctor Adil Wani, a dentist from Anantnag announced free check-up for Sikh patients at his clinic. Discount offers were also announced by various pharmacists for Sikh brethren.
The Facebook was also flooded with offers to provide free BSNL Sims to Sikhs, discount on car washing and mechanical services of their vehicles.
Lazeezo, a food outlet in Baramulla announced free coffee to the Sikh customers’ while as woodpeckers- a manufacturing unit of modular furniture in Baramulla offered 11 percent discount for Sikh customers.