Meerut: Sedition charges against a group of students who cheered for Pakistan in a cricket match against India provoked outrage today, much of it expressed on Twitter.
67 students, all from Kashmir, were suspended on Monday by the private Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
"Have just spoken to CM UP who has assured me he will personally look in to the matter of the Kashmiri students in Meerut," tweeted Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who described the charges as "unacceptably harsh punishment that will ruin their futures & will further alienate them." (Read)
However, he also described the students as "misguided" and said they should "introspect" because some of them are attending college on the strength of scholarships from the Prime Minister.
India lost the Asia Cup match on Sunday night to Pakistan.
The students, who were escorted out of their hostel by security on Monday, say they were told their suspension was for three days but have not been allowed to return.
"The college never heard our side of the story. Some us were crying as we had no money," said a student who has returned to his home in Kashmir.
"If the Kashmiri students want to come and pursue their education in Pakistan, our hearts and academic institutions are open to them," Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.
The college has alleged that the students celebrated loudly in the dorm and toted pro-Pakistan slogans, which led to a fight with other students and escalated into vandalism and stone-throwing.
Twitter was bulging with angry comments. "Is it OK to give writers from Pakistan good reviews, or will I face sedition charges too?" posted Sanjay Sipahimilani. "Genuinely curious if I can be booked for sedition for all those cricket games where I supported the Sri Lankan team against the Indian one," tweeted Suhel Banerjee. (Sedition charges for students who cheered for Pakistan: your comments)
67 students, all from Kashmir, were suspended on Monday by the private Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
"Have just spoken to CM UP who has assured me he will personally look in to the matter of the Kashmiri students in Meerut," tweeted Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who described the charges as "unacceptably harsh punishment that will ruin their futures & will further alienate them." (Read)
India lost the Asia Cup match on Sunday night to Pakistan.
Advertisement
"The college never heard our side of the story. Some us were crying as we had no money," said a student who has returned to his home in Kashmir.
Advertisement
The college has alleged that the students celebrated loudly in the dorm and toted pro-Pakistan slogans, which led to a fight with other students and escalated into vandalism and stone-throwing.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
High Court Sets Aside Probe Agency Chargesheets Against Farooq Abdullah, Others Rohit Sharma Closes In On Babar Azam For No. 1 ODI Batting Ranking Spot, Star Indian Batter Falls "Yet To Find Perfect Approach": Pakistan Test Skipper Shan Masood Ahead Of Bangladesh Series 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Trump, Musk Groove To Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' In AI-Video Now Viral "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case US Judge Says "Monopolist" Google Can't Avoid App Store Reforms NASA To Decide Stranded Starliner Astronauts' Route Home By End Of Month Mob Vandalises Hospital During Protest Over Kolkata Horror Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.