In a major upset for Indian fans, Pakistan defeated team India on 18 June to clinch their maiden Champions Trophy title. Pakistan posted a mammoth total of 339 runs and the Indian team was bundled out for 158 runs.
After the match, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq took to Twitter to congratulate team Pakistan:
His tweet didn’t go down too well with veteran Indian opener Gautam Gambhir.
The Hurriyat leader had also wished the Pakistan cricket team after they beat England on 14 June to enter the finals of the Champions Trophy.
J&K Deputy CM Condemns Mirwaiz’s Comments
Speaking to ANI, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh panned Mirwaiz’s comments.
This is the most condemnable thing. People are losing their lives here and these separatists are cheering for Pakistan over their win and enticing the youth of Kashmir. What kind of politics is this? These separatists are desperate to highlight their presence in the state.Nirmal Singh, Deputy CM, J&K
Singh further said that separatists are simply looking for opportunities to make their presence felt in the state, but their actions won’t help anyone.
They talk of Pakistan’s victory, but here innocent children are losing their lives because of Pakistan.Nirmal Singh, Deputy CM, J&K
Nirmal Singh Not Alone in Condemnation, NPP Follows Suit
The Deputy CM’s condemnation was followed by National People’s Party’s (NPP) chairman Harsh Dev echoing his thoughts.
Mirwaiz has been supporting Pakistan throughout and it’s a known fact that he is acting as its agent. During the recent cricket match, he was celebrating the victory of Pakistan. These people need to be taken to task and dealt with under law. Any encouragement to such elements will prove to be counter-productive and the government needs to understand this.Harsh Dev, NPP Chairman
Dev added that Gautam Gambhir is right to ask Mirwaiz to go to Pakistan.
BJP Leader Chimes In
BJP leader Ravinder Raina slammed separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Farooq, Syed Ali Gilani and Shabir Shahand, calling them paid Pakistani puppets.
They are just pleasing their bosses sitting across the border and the way last night these separatist leaders tweeted in favour of Pakistan showed that their hearts are always beating for Pakistan. These separatist leaders will destroy the future of youth in Jammu and Kashmir.Ravinder Raina, BJP Leader
(With inputs from ANI.)
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