67 Kashmiri students were booked under Sedition Law by Meerut Police. Their Crime was they were supporting Pakistan win over India in Asia Cup Cricket Match. The charge of sedition under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code has been dropped now but it again raised the question. Booking the students under Section 124A is totally wrong and I don't intend to discuss the legal aspect of it either. However were the students at fault by hurting the general public sentiments?
India is a democracy and everyone has their own rights. Right to hold any views, right to support any sports team, right to roam freely in the country and right to freedom of speech. Recently SC has dismissed a petition against hate speech saying it cant curtail anyone's right to express the views and its up to the people (audience) to decide.
The Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, a private institution in Meerut, says it sent back Kashmiri students from the hostel just on precautionary measure. Some Kashmiris were arguing that India call itself free Democracy then why cant it allow anyone freedom to cheer for any team they like. It happen in other civilised world why cant it happen in India. I know for fact that people in J&K does celebrate Pak Victories. Not only in Kashmir it happens in Hyderabad as well. In these areas there are more Afridi's fans than Tenduklar's. I listen to the views of a Jammu resident on a radio show(before this incident) who was saying that they celebrate Pak victories over India and Paki team is their favourite team. He even said that that people of J&K consider themselves Pakistani. He is a regular on that radio station and is otherwise a sensible person.
The incident is not that simple as it may appear. This wasn't just a match. It was a cricket Match and it was Indo-Pak Match where emotions normally go very high. One might think how can someone be happy when their country lost to their arch-rival. And then they start doubting them and clash happens. Both BJP and congress has called this act by students wrong. There are a few local parties in J&K who supported the act.
However the question remain should such acts be allowed? Are they justified even though Law permits them. Shouldn't they just celebrate in private and be mindful of other people's sentiments.
The bigger question is probably Do they even consider themselves Indian?
The thread is open for your views on all these questions.
India is a democracy and everyone has their own rights. Right to hold any views, right to support any sports team, right to roam freely in the country and right to freedom of speech. Recently SC has dismissed a petition against hate speech saying it cant curtail anyone's right to express the views and its up to the people (audience) to decide.
The Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, a private institution in Meerut, says it sent back Kashmiri students from the hostel just on precautionary measure. Some Kashmiris were arguing that India call itself free Democracy then why cant it allow anyone freedom to cheer for any team they like. It happen in other civilised world why cant it happen in India. I know for fact that people in J&K does celebrate Pak Victories. Not only in Kashmir it happens in Hyderabad as well. In these areas there are more Afridi's fans than Tenduklar's. I listen to the views of a Jammu resident on a radio show(before this incident) who was saying that they celebrate Pak victories over India and Paki team is their favourite team. He even said that that people of J&K consider themselves Pakistani. He is a regular on that radio station and is otherwise a sensible person.
The incident is not that simple as it may appear. This wasn't just a match. It was a cricket Match and it was Indo-Pak Match where emotions normally go very high. One might think how can someone be happy when their country lost to their arch-rival. And then they start doubting them and clash happens. Both BJP and congress has called this act by students wrong. There are a few local parties in J&K who supported the act.
However the question remain should such acts be allowed? Are they justified even though Law permits them. Shouldn't they just celebrate in private and be mindful of other people's sentiments.
The bigger question is probably Do they even consider themselves Indian?
The thread is open for your views on all these questions.
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