J&K: Kashmiri Students Face UAPA Heat After Raising Pro-Pakistan Slogans During Cricket World Cup Final

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against seven Kashmiri students, accusing them of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during the recent Cricket World Cup final.

As per a report by The Hindu, the case, filed in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, includes charges under Section 13 of the UAPA, along with Sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

The accused students, all enrolled at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in Ganderbal’s Shuhama, allegedly targeted a student from Punjab studying at the same institution.

According to the written complaint, the Kashmiri students began abusing and threatening the student for being a supporter of India after the match concluded.

The complaint stated, "After the match ended, they [Kashmiri students] started abusing me and targeting me for being a supporter of our country and also threatened me to shut up otherwise I would be shot.”

The specific allegation includes the chanting of the slogan “Jeeve Jeeve Pakistan [Long Live Pakistan],” which reportedly created fear among students from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha to reconsider the application of UAPA charges, describing them as an "unacceptably harsh punishment that could ruin their future."

Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the association, condemned the act and behavior of the Kashmiri students but emphasised the need for an amicable resolution rather than involving the court and police station.

The incident occurred after Australia defeated India by six wickets in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad on 19 November.