Srinagar: Mainstream parties in Kashmir have reacted strongly to the Jammu and Kashmir police booking students under stringent anti-terrorism laws for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
The police have registered two cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against medical students living in hostels in Government Medical College in Karan Nagar and SKIMS in Soura.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah reacted strongly, stating that the celebrations were meant to “provoke” the BJP. “They (the BJP) took away Article 370 and Article 35A from us,” Abdullah said at a meeting of party workers in Poonch. “A volcano is building up even as they think they have silenced (the people).”
The students who celebrated Pakistan’s win, Abdullah said “don’t have anything to do with them (Pakistanis). It was done to provoke the BJP. They were children and young boys and this should serve as an eye-opener for the BJP.”
He further warned: “This volcano will erupt one day and god knows what will be its shape and size. They have to return Article 370 to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
EDUCATED ALIENATED
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti accused the Centre of resorting to “vindictive” action against Kashmiri youth that will “alienate them further”.
“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 chief minister had tweeted.
A DISEASE
Sajad Lone, chairperson of the People’s Conference, however, called the celebrations of Pakistan’s victory by Kashmiris a condition of disease. “We don’t see anti-Indianism or pro-Pakistanism as an irreversible condition. It is at best a curable disease,” he said, adding that “punitive actions can worsen the disease.”
He added: “We live in Kashmir and have to live with those who are ideologically opposed to us. But we are 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.”
Reports of celebrations emerged from different parts of the Valley soon after Pakistan’s victory over India in the world cup tournament. Kashmiri students in two Punjab colleges also faced mob violence after some students cheered for Pakistan.
Home Minister Amit Shah was in Srinagar during his three-day visit to the region. With PTI Inputs
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