The hasty Bangalore police action against two young Kashmiri cricketers has deepened the sporting schism between India and the Valley, reports Haroon Reshi
The treatment meted out in Bangalore to two members of
Kashmir’s under-22 CK Nayudu Trophy team could have long-term repercussions on cricket in the Valley. Parvez Rasool and Mehraj-ud-din were detained by the Bangalore police on October 17 on suspicion that they were carrying explosives in their kitbags. They were let off because the securitymen found nothing incriminating on the two boys.
This hasty action has dealt a body blow to the spirits of a host of young Kashmiri cricketers who are seeking to use the game as a means to step out of their isolation and make their presence felt at the national level.
The incident has sparked widespread anger and concern in Kashmir. Many observers here believe that Parvez and Mehraj were targetted only because they are Muslim boys from Kashmir. “I suspect our players were targeted only because of their origin. It’s a conspiracy to create a fear psychosis among our talented cricketers,” Abdul Qayoom, coach of Kashmir’s under-22 team, told TSI over phone from Bangalore.
“The detention of the two innocent boys has stunned all the players in our team. I am now hard-pressed to boost their confidence. I hope this episode does not affect their on-field performance,” the coach said.
Qayoom castigated the mass media for playing a “biased role” in the incident. “As soon as the Bangalore police raided Parvez and Mehraj’s common room, some television channels jumped to the conclusion that a residue of some explosive substance had been recovered from their possession. “It was an obvious example of the media fanning a hate campaign against Kashmir across the country," he added.
Kashmiri youngsters who have taken up cricket as a serious pursuit are understandably feeling slighted. They have described the incident as something that has brought dishonour to the entire sporting fraternity in the state.
Abid Nabi, a leading Kashmiri cricketer, told TSI in Srinagar: “My dream is to play for India but such things are really disappointing. I am still in shock. I think our boys were singled out in Bangalore because they are from Kashmir. We should not take this episode lightly.”
Nabi, who played for the under-19 Indian team before joining the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), called upon the state government and the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to lodge a strong protest over the issue so that such things do not recur in future.”
Nabi, now 24, is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in India. He was trained at the MRF Pace Foundation in Bangalore. He dropped out of India contention when he joined the ICL. But now that the official ban on ICL cricketers has been lifted, Nabi has another opportunity to work his way back.
Another budding cricketer from Kashmir, Waseem, says: “I feel there is a section of the police and the authorities in other states of India who are attempting to prevent Kashmiris from playing at the national level."
JKCA has demanded an apology from the Bangalore police and the Karnataka Cricket Association. Immediately after JKCA received information about the detention of its two players in Bangalore, an emergency meeting was held in Srinagar. JKCA members strongly condemned the incident and a letter was dispatched to BCCI lodging a strong protest.
The treatment meted out in Bangalore to two members of
Kashmir’s under-22 CK Nayudu Trophy team could have long-term repercussions on cricket in the Valley. Parvez Rasool and Mehraj-ud-din were detained by the Bangalore police on October 17 on suspicion that they were carrying explosives in their kitbags. They were let off because the securitymen found nothing incriminating on the two boys.This hasty action has dealt a body blow to the spirits of a host of young Kashmiri cricketers who are seeking to use the game as a means to step out of their isolation and make their presence felt at the national level.
The incident has sparked widespread anger and concern in Kashmir. Many observers here believe that Parvez and Mehraj were targetted only because they are Muslim boys from Kashmir. “I suspect our players were targeted only because of their origin. It’s a conspiracy to create a fear psychosis among our talented cricketers,” Abdul Qayoom, coach of Kashmir’s under-22 team, told TSI over phone from Bangalore.
“The detention of the two innocent boys has stunned all the players in our team. I am now hard-pressed to boost their confidence. I hope this episode does not affect their on-field performance,” the coach said.
Qayoom castigated the mass media for playing a “biased role” in the incident. “As soon as the Bangalore police raided Parvez and Mehraj’s common room, some television channels jumped to the conclusion that a residue of some explosive substance had been recovered from their possession. “It was an obvious example of the media fanning a hate campaign against Kashmir across the country," he added.
Kashmiri youngsters who have taken up cricket as a serious pursuit are understandably feeling slighted. They have described the incident as something that has brought dishonour to the entire sporting fraternity in the state.
Abid Nabi, a leading Kashmiri cricketer, told TSI in Srinagar: “My dream is to play for India but such things are really disappointing. I am still in shock. I think our boys were singled out in Bangalore because they are from Kashmir. We should not take this episode lightly.”
Nabi, who played for the under-19 Indian team before joining the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), called upon the state government and the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to lodge a strong protest over the issue so that such things do not recur in future.”
Nabi, now 24, is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in India. He was trained at the MRF Pace Foundation in Bangalore. He dropped out of India contention when he joined the ICL. But now that the official ban on ICL cricketers has been lifted, Nabi has another opportunity to work his way back.
Another budding cricketer from Kashmir, Waseem, says: “I feel there is a section of the police and the authorities in other states of India who are attempting to prevent Kashmiris from playing at the national level."
JKCA has demanded an apology from the Bangalore police and the Karnataka Cricket Association. Immediately after JKCA received information about the detention of its two players in Bangalore, an emergency meeting was held in Srinagar. JKCA members strongly condemned the incident and a letter was dispatched to BCCI lodging a strong protest.
No comments:
Post a Comment