Indian government withdraws sedition charges against Kashmiri students

A university in Uttar Pradesh had suspended the students for celebrating Pakistan's victory earlier.


Afp/web Desk March 06, 2014
Three suspended Kashmiri students address media after returning from India's Meerut Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) in Srinagar on March 6,2013. PHOTO: AFP

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to withdraw the sedition case against Kashmiri students for allegedly celebrating Pakistan's victory over India in a cricket match on March 1Express News reported.

Uttar Pradesh government had earlier filed a sedition case against these students from Kashmir under Section 124a, 153a and 427 of the Indian Penal Code. According to Section 124a, whoever excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Indian government shall be punished with imprisonment or with a fine.

Earlier, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh had suspended the students for celebrating Pakistan's victory.

"The SVSU administration on Wednesday submitted a written complaint against unknown persons for indulging in anti-national activities and creating a ruckus on the university campus," Meerut police chief Omkar Singh told AFP.

"We have registered a case and the probe is on," Singh explained.

"If evidence is established against the accused, there is a set legal procedure to be followed in such cases. The law will take its own course," he said, adding that any charges would be ones of sedition.

Pakistan's foreign office spokesman said sedition charges against the students would be "very unfortunate".

"If the Kashmiri students want to come and pursue their education in Pakistan, our hearts and academic institutions are open to them," Tasnim Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.

According to the Hindustan Times, trouble began on Sunday night, when a group of local and Kashmiri students were watching the 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.

COMMENTS (131)

Ali Gohar | 10 years ago | Reply

And express tribune as usual phrasing the story which looks less bad for india....The head line of the story also an attempt to suggest as a corrective measure has been taken.

Phir Bi Dil Hai Hindustani | 10 years ago | Reply

@Khurram:

My dear man, you are welcome to have not only these but also other Kashmiris who are being paid by Pakistani Agent provocateurs to create mischief. Just open your gates to these traitors and see how many want to cross to Pakistan -- these are the same people who enjoy all the benefits of Indian generosity, but continue to cry for more and ever more. The students who cheered Pakistan is not the problem; the problem is that they were heckling and indulging in name calling which provoked the other students. The ET story fails - delibrately? - to mention the full facts. Half truth can be more dangerous and deceptive than a full lie! Have you not heard about that before, Sir??!!

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