Cricket conundrum: Kashmiri students suspended for cheering Pakistan
Shikhar Dhawan reacts as Umar Akmal (C) and Sohaib Maqsood (R) appeals for his dismissal successfully during their one-day international cricket match in Asia Cup 2014 in Dhaka March 2, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS
A university in Uttar Pradesh has suspended 67 students from Kashmir for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in a cricket match on Sunday.
According to the Hindustan Times, trouble began on Sunday night, when a group of local and Kashmiri students were watching India-Pakistan cricket match in the hall of the hostel. A few Kashmiri students cheered every time an Indian player’s wicket fell, later celebrating Pakistan’s win.
Vice-chancellor of Swami Vivekanand Subharti University Dr Manzoor Ahmad said he was taken aback by such a gesture by the students. "Some students complained that a few students reportedly shouted Pakistan zindabad while going to their rooms," said Ahmad.
He said the authorities initially decided to suspend only those students who had chanted such slogans.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2014.