Asem Mohiuddin
On Sunday, when the Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in Kashmir assessing the security situation, India and Pakistan cricket teams were facing each other for the first time in many years in the ICC T20 world cup at Dubai international cricket stadium. The whole South Asia was hooked to the screens and cheering for their respective teams. India Pakistan cricket match was always a high voltage drama for nearly two billion people in the whole of south Asia. It is not only seen in the cricket ground but on streets of India Pakistan the atmosphere is highly surcharged. So was this time and much to the shock of security agencies in Kashmir at many places firecrackers were burst by youths after India lost the game to its arch rival- Pakistan.
It was not for the first time that in Kashmir parts celebrations over Pakistan victory were reported. In the past many occasions such scenes were on record. But at this point of time, the scenes were disturbing since Amit Shah was in the valley and the BJP in Delhi have downgraded all its ties with Pakistan ever since it was elected to power in 2014.
The visuals immediately after Pakistan victory in the game appearing on social media showed hundreds of youths in old city areas pouring on roads and bursting fire crackers. Same was witnessed in the SKIMS medical college and at many other places.
Later, the national media reported and debated whether any punitive action shall be taken against the people who celebrated the victory. Amit Shah, however, on Monday addressed a massive gathering at SKICC and assured the local youth in particular that the heart of Prime Minister Narender Modi is beating for Kashmiris. He remained silent over what he witnessed on Sunday evening. He talked of unemployment issues, job opportunities, peace and prosperity in Modi’s “naya Kashmir”. He talked more about politics and accused the local mainstream parties for exploiting the local youths under the garb of Article 370. But now there is a level field for all of you. “Anyone can dream of becoming the chief minister,” he addressed the gathering.
Meanwhile, after he returned to Delhi police swung into action and lodged an FIR against all the youths for celebrating Pakistan victory in the match.
In Samba district of Jammu region, six youths have been detained so far and more detentions are expected after the video goes viral purportedly of “objectionable slogans”.
SSP Samba Rajesh Sharma said that all those detained are being questioned regarding the incident.
“We may call more people for questioning since the matter is under investigation,” he told the media.
But in Kashmir police booked students under UAPA law from two medical colleges of Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered FIRs against students of two medical colleges in Srinagar city for raising pro-Pakistan slogans on World Cup T20 victory of Pakistan over India.
According to police two FIRs have been registered under the prevention of unlawful activities act (UAPA) against the students of SKIMS medical college and government medical college Srinagar.
“Students of these two colleges raised Pro-Pakistan slogans after Pakistan won the T20 World cup match against India on Sunday,” police told the local newspaper.
The official sources, however, said that police are investigating the case and may arrest some people who celebrated victory on roads in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir after proper identification.
Politically, the action is widely condemned by the local mainstream political parties. The BJP, however, demanded stern punishment for all the accused.
“HMs (Union Home Minister Amit Shah) ‘Mann ki baat’ with Kashmiri youth started with slapping UAPA against medical students for celebrating Pakistan’s win. Instead of trying to ascertain why educated youth choose to identify with Pakistan, GOI resorting to vindictive actions. Such steps will alienate them further,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said on Twitter.
The People’s Conference Chairman Sajajd Gani Lone also criticized the police action against all those ho celebrated Pakistan victory in Dubai.
“I strongly disagree. If you think that they r not patriotic enough because they cheered for another team- u should have the courage and the belief to wean them back if u think they have gone patriotically astray. Punitive actions won’t help. Have not helped in the past either, ” Sajad wrote on Twitter while reacting to a woman suggesting that the students be suspended by the medical colleges.
He further clarified his tweet: “We live in Kashmir and have to live with those who r ideologically opposed to us. But we’re confident that it is a game of narratives of discourses. And that we will win. We will convince all about the goodness of our ideology. We will prevail. But that that is if u allow us to, “he said.
“We don’t c anti indianism or pro pakistanism as an irreversible condition. It is at best a curable disease. Let us cure it. Allow us to cure it. Trust me. Punitive actions can worsen the disease”.
The BJP chief of the UT, Ravinder Raina demanded a jail for all those who supported Pakistan in the match. He even accused former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of “Talibani ideology”.
“Some leaders need security cover and are protected round-the-clock by our forces but their heart beats for Pakistan. Mehbooba is of Talibani ideology and she is answerable to the people for supporting an enemy nation which is pushing armed terrorists, conspiring against us and bleeding J&K. She has committed a grave sin,” Raina said.
He said that anyone who poses a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our motherland will be bulldozed and crushed. “
FIRs have been registered against those who celebrated Pakistan’s win in Kashmir and elsewhere and created a ruckus under a conspiracy are being identified. Police, CID and NIA are taking action against them and all of them will be put in jail,” Raina added.
