Four cricketers arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for respecting Pakistan national anthem
Updated Jan 09, 2018 | 13:21 IST | Times Now Digital, Agencies
The cricketers were arrested in Arin village in Bandipora, Kashmir, after a video of the incident which took place on January 3 went viral on social media.
Pakistan national anthem was being played before the beginning of the cricket match | Photo Credit: Times Now
Srinagar: Four Kashmiri boys were arrested and their teams were booked on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district for lining up as Pakistan's national anthem was played before the start of a cricket match. The arrests were made in Arin village after a video of the incident, which took place on January 3, went viral on social media.
In the video, two cricket teams – one wearing green and another white – are purportedly seen standing in attention in two lines on either side of the pitch as 'Pak Sarzameen' played in the background. The players bowed their heads as the loudspeakers blurted the neighbouring country's anthem.
Police said they were looking for the organisers of the match who arranged the shooting of the video. "The teams have been booked," said senior superintendent of police Bandipora, Sheikh Zulfikar Azad.
In 2016, another video went viral showing local cricketers lining up to "salute" Pakistan's national anthem before the start of a match in Ganderbal district. Police had arrested some of the boys then but they were let off after assurances from the parents.
Last year in November, some of the students at the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGBSU) in Rajouri had refused to stand during the time when the Indian national anthem was being played. After the news was aired by Times Now, an FIR was filed against the students who showed disrespect to the National Anthem. The incident took place during a valedictory function of the Silver Rolling Trophy. Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, SSP Rajouri and Vice-Chancellor of the University were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
The debate on standing up for the national anthem at public places has been going on for a while now. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has been vocal about his views for developing a sense of national pride. The left-handed batsman had joined the debate, 'to stand up or not', after Supreme Court on October 23 asked the Centre to consider modifying the national flag code which regulates playing of the national anthem in cinema halls across the country.
(With IANS inputs)
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Four cricketers arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for respecting Pakistan national anthem Description: The cricketers were arrested in Arin village in Bandipora, Kashmir, after a video of the incident which took place on January 3 went viral on social media. Times Now
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