Mumbai, February 21: In the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, four Kashmiri students were thrashed and forced to chant 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', allegedly by some Yuva Sena activists in Maharashtra's Yavatmal, sparking widespread condemnation. After the video of the assault went viral on social media, Yuva Sena Secretary Varun Sardesai assured action against the culprits if they were found to be the party's activists.

On Wednesday night, Umar Rashid Dar and Umar Nazir Ganai, both from Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara, and their friends were intercepted outside their rented home in Waghapur Road area. The attackers asked where they hailed from. When they replied Kashmir, they were mercilessly thrashed, humiliated and forced to chant 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'The dozen-strong mob also demanded to know whether their relatives were 'terrorists'. Imran Khan Asks Pakistan Army to 'Respond Decisively' to Any Indian Aggression.

The victims are students of Dayabhai Patel College of Physical Education. The college Principal, Sandeep Chawak, said the entire college stands 'unitedly' with the four students, three of whom are here for three years and one for the past one year. "A team led by Superintendent of Police M. Rajkumar visited the college, counselled all the students and assured there will not be any such repeat incidents, besides increasing the security around the Kashmiri boys' home," Chawak told IANS.

Amidst all-round condemnation, Yuva Sena President and Udhav Thackeray's son Aditya Thackeray went into damage control mode and appealed "not to vent anger against Pakistan" against people living in our own country. "I think the outrage against Pakistan and the need to give it a fitting reply is important. But we must ensure that this is not directed at our own citizens in any manner," he said. Pulwama Attacks Fallout: After CCI Covers Portrait of Imran Khan, Rajasthan Cricket Association Removes Pictures of Pakistani Cricketers.

Yuva Sena Secretary Sardesai pointed out that it was because of Shiv Sena founder patriarch Bal Thackeray that 'quotas' were created in the country's education system. "Thousands of Kashmir students are studying in Mumbai and other parts of the state. The Yavatmal incident is wrong and condemnable. If they are Yuva Sena workers, we shall take suitable action against them," Sardesai said in a statement.

Earlier today, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress for their silence over attacks on Kashmiri students in parts of the country. Kashmiri students in some parts of the country were subjected to assault and humiliation following the Pulwama attack.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 10:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).