MIRPUR (AJK) - A banned student group in Indian-Held Kashmir wanted Pakistan cricket team to wear black bands during the final match of Asia Cup, protesting the action against students by an Indian varsity administration.
According to a report, the Srinagar-based Kashmir University Students' Union wanted Pakistan cricket team to wear black bands in the final of Asia Cup against Sri Lanka on Saturday March 8. "Kashmiris have every right to demand their Muslim Brethren world over and especially in Pakistan. And KUSU hereby asks Pakistan cricket players to show their solidarity with the students expelled from a university in Meerut, India," a statement from the group whose offices were levelled during nocturnal raids in 2010, said.
"It is an honour for Kashmiris to be seditious. However, the charges of sedition are actually against Sheikh Abdullah's treachery and visionlessness that okayed a forced merger of the Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir with the Hindu Union of India, which never was a union of hearts and souls," the group claimed, according to the report.
"For Kashmiris sedition is another name for resistance against the Indian occupation. KUSU once again, expresses solidarity with the students deported from India," the group said.
Kashmir University students on Friday held rallies in the Kashmir University campus in occupied Srinagar to express solidarity with the ousted students. The KU administration did not allow the protest but students defied the restrictions", the report added.
Meanwhile, a Kashmiri Muslim from occupied Kashmir, with request not to be named, sent a request to the Pakistan's skipper reiterating good wishes, full sympathies and solidarity to win the Asia Cup final being played today.
The Kashmiri's request to Pakistani Team is as under:
"Dear Misbahul Haq and the Pakistani Cricket team, I happen to belong to a land where Pakistani players are treated as heroes. In a land where Pakistan's win is a joy to our beleaguered hearts. When you play against India, it is not just Pakistan but also Kashmiris who add to the voices in the crowd. These Kashmiris are the people who burst firecrackers and loud shrill when you win, and when you lose there faces sullen and sad. You see, Kashmir is the story of a sorrowful tale but which is equally heroic in its struggle. I am sure you must be knowing about Kashmir, since it used to be all over PTV during 90s.
But I am not sure if the new team members have an idea, since the Pakistani government stopped airing anything Kashmir. Well, that's another story. I am sure Misbah, you have been reading the news of how scores of Kashmiris have been deported to Kashmir by a university in Meerut, India. I am sure you must have read the news. As miraculously it has been finally reported by the Pakistani media. Must be the magic of Afridi's six. I am writing to you with a heartfelt request.
If you and the rest of the Pakistani cricket team wear black arm-bands to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. I know this might sound a ridiculous request. But for the oppressed people like us, our voices need to be heard. We have always supported you as die-hard fans. There are people who have been killed and arrested just because they used to support Pakistani cricket team. This would be a heartfelt gesture towards the people of Kashmir. A bond which can only be strengthened with this act. Good luck for the final. Yours Truly, A Pakistani Cricket Fan from Indian Occupied Kashmir.”