Police Order Enquiry After Kashmir Cricketer Wears Palestine Flag | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police has ordered a preliminary enquiry after a cricketer from South Kashmir was seen wearing a helmet displaying the Palestinian flag during a privately organised cricket tournament in Jammu, police said on Friday.

A police spokesperson said a video circulating on social media showed Furqan Ul Haq, son of Tajamul Hussain Bhat and a resident of Tangipuna in Pulwama district, playing a match at K C Door in the Muthi area on the outskirts of Jammu city while displaying a Palestine logo on his helmet during the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League.

“In view of the sensitivity of the matter and its potential public order implications, a 14-day preliminary enquiry under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita has been initiated at Domana police station to ascertain the facts, intent and background of the individual, and any possible linkages,” the spokesperson said.

As per the provision, a preliminary enquiry can be conducted with prior approval from an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police in cases involving cognisable offences punishable with three to seven years of imprisonment. The enquiry is required to be completed within 14 days to determine whether there is a prima facie case for further investigation.

According to sources, the incident occurred during a match against the ‘Jammu Trailblazers’, when Furqan, playing for the ‘JK11’ team, came out to bat in the fourth over of the match. The league, which began on December 29, is a privately organised tournament and is not recognised by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The association has maintained that it has no role, engagement or association with the event.

Sources said that following the circulation of the video on Thursday, Furqan and the league’s organiser, identified as Sajid Bhat, were summoned to the Domana police station for questioning.

The issue triggered political reactions, with People’s Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti coming out in support of the cricketer. Speaking to reporters, she questioned the need for police action, saying there was nothing wrong in speaking about the situation in Palestine.

“We are summoned on everything. Do we not have the freedom to speak freely? If we speak about Palestine, what is wrong with that?” she said, adding that protests against the killing of civilians in Gaza were taking place across Europe and the United States.

Mufti alleged that people in Jammu and Kashmir were being “picked up for anything and everything” and claimed that restrictions, including on the use of virtual private networks, reflected the absence of the rule of law. She also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to impose its ideology in the Union Territory, a claim the BJP has rejected in the past.

Reacting separately on social media, PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti posted a message expressing solidarity with Palestine, along with an image of the Palestinian flag.

This is the second controversy involving a privately organised cricket league in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. In November, organisers of another private tournament, the Indian Heaven Premier League, allegedly left Srinagar without clearing payments to players, match officials, commentators and hotels, prompting complaints from those involved.