Kashmiri medical graduates and other professionals face widespread job and internship offer withdrawals following the Delhi Red Fort blast on November 10 . Several accused in the terror attack are linked to academia and hold professional degrees, leading to media branding them a “white-collar terror module.” This has intensified scrutiny on individuals from Kashmir, impacting their employment opportunities outside the Valley.
Job Offers Withdrawn
Dr. Muzammil Rashid, an MD in Gynaecology from Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, had job offers withdrawn by multiple hospitals in Punjab and Haryana. Hospitals cited his Kashmiri origin as the reason for revoking their offers. Rashid had secured offers promising salaries around Rs 2 lakh per month , significantly more than in Kashmir.
The November 10 blast at Delhi’s Red Fort killed 13 people and injured 20. Police linked the attack to doctors, some associated with Al Falah University in Faridabad. One accused, Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Pulwama, worked as faculty at Al-Falah University. Police recovered explosives from Faridabad and an AK-47 rifle from Dr. Adeel Rather, a former GMC Anantnag resident.
Wider Job Market Impact
Mehar Zargar, a 2025 journalism graduate from Cluster University Srinagar, experienced a similar setback. She moved to Delhi for content design work. An interviewer’s demeanor changed after learning she was from Srinagar, despite her current Delhi NCR address. The company, which had praised her profile, later rejected her application.
Zargar reported that employer responses stopped for many of her Kashmiri friends in Delhi. Some are now planning to return home. She stated media coverage played a role in stereotyping, affecting careers.
Off-Campus Recruitment Challenges
Off-campus recruitment for Kashmiri students has decreased. Graduates from institutions like Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT Vellore) and St. Stephen’s College Delhi report professionals are hesitant to provide referrals. Referrals account for 40% of hires from only 7% of applicants , highlighting their importance.
Furqan Mir, a civil engineering graduate from VIT Vellore, noticed a shift after the Delhi blast. He previously received regular LinkedIn referrals. After the incident, people stopped giving referrals, and companies ignored his applications. Sujahat Bashir, a political science student at St. Stephen’s College, stated a Delhi startup withdrew an internship offer solely because he is from Kashmir. The company informed him directly that they no longer trust Kashmiris.
Medical Admissions Controversy
Post-blast, former J&K DGP SP Vaid claimed on X that 70% of seats at Katra Medical College were allotted to Kashmiri students. He connected this to accused individuals like Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Umar Un Nabi. Vaid’s remarks sparked controversy regarding medical admissions.
Waheed Para, an MLA from Pulwama, called Vaid’s statements “irresponsible.” Para emphasized that Kashmiri student bodies and doctors’ associations had condemned the terror incident. Right-wing groups, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, have also protested against a high number of seats at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) going to Kashmiri Muslims through NEET counselling.
A first-year SMVDIME student, who requested anonymity, reported facing significant mental stress. The student stated that despite earning their seat on merit, some demanded their expulsion. The annual fee for MBBS at Katra Medical College is around Rs 7 lakh . BJP MLAs, led by Sunil Sharma, met J&K LG Manoj Sinha to request changes to MBBS admission rules, generating further political debate in Jammu and Kashmir.