Seven students arrested in J&K over Pro-Pakistani slogans after India's World Cup final defeat

In a shocking turn of events, seven students from Jammu & Kashmir were arrested for celebrating India's loss in the recently concluded ODI World Cup final against Australia. The students were allegedly using anti-nationalist, pro-Pakistani slogans following Men in Blue's loss in the final, held on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

The individuals are under arrest as per the relevant section(s) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This means that the individuals will be liable for imprisonment of up to seven years or fine or both. The arrests were made after an official complaint was filed by another student against the seven for celebrating India's loss and cheering for Australia as well as Pakistan.

Shocking that cheering for a winning team too has been criminalised: Mehbooba Mufti

According to Reuters, a police official handling the case revealed that the charges were made after they got their hands on a video evidence of raising anti-India chants. The official further disclosed that these seven arrested students belong to an agriculture university in the border state.

The matter reached a political debate, as people belonging to different parties had differentiated opinions. Former Chief Minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti also opined her views, stating the act of arrests as shocking. “It is shocking that cheering for a winning team too has been criminalised in Kashmir,” Mufti said.

Speaking of the Rohit Sharma & Co's performances in the quadrennial event, they began their journey in the tournament by defeating the five-time champion side in Chennai, however, succumbed to a defeat in the ultimate clash in Ahmedabad that broke the hearts of several Indian cricket fans around the world. Until the final, the India had remained unbeaten with a 10-game winning streak. However, they could not cross the finishing line and had to settle as runner-ups for the 2023 edition.