Parents of students detained for cheering India's defeat in World Cup seek leniency

Srinagar, Nov 29: Admitting that their wards had committed a mistake, the parents of seven detained in Ganderbal on Wednesday met senior Police officers and expressed hope that the Police would take a lenient view of the issue and safeguard the future of these students.

The seven students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in Ganderbal district were arrested for cheering over India's defeat by Australia in the recently-concluded Cricket World Cup.

The students have been charged with public mischief and criminal intimidation under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

“We tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of our children before the Police,” the parents said after meeting Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ganderbal, Nikhil Borkar. “We are hopeful that the future of our wards will be safe as the Police assured that they will take a lenient view.”

Saying that they are responsible citizens of the country, the parents said that their wards had entered the campus after qualifying the prestigious NEET examination.

“We requested the Police to give them a chance,” they said. “They are hopeful that they will be given chances so that their future is safeguarded.”

The parents admitted that their wards had committed a mistake.

They said that they would advise them to live in the hostel and set an example of brotherhood.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Virdi Kumar Birdi told Greater Kashmir that a case had been registered.

“The case was registered a day after the final,” the Kashmir Police chief said. “Police are investigating the case. The section of law corresponding to ingredients of offences are invoked under UAPA and IPC offences.”

On Tuesday, Police had said that the case was not about planning, aiding and executing terror acts and that the seven students had been booked for cheering for Australia in Ganderbal in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup in a softer provision of UA(P)A.

Police had issued a detailed rebuttal saying that several opinions and comments had been made in this respect.

Police said: “The case is not merely about raising pro-Pakistan slogans but in full context in which the sloganeering took place.”