Police in Jammu have called in a cricketer from South Kashmir for questioning after a video showing him batting with a helmet bearing the Palestinian flag went viral on social media. The incident occurred during a privately organised cricket tournament on the outskirts of Jammu city.
Cricketer and Organiser Summoned for Questioning
On Thursday, cricketer Furqan Bhat and tournament organiser Sajid Bhat were summoned to the Domana police station for interrogation. The summons followed the circulation of a video clip from a match played on Wednesday. In the video, Furqan Bhat, representing a team called JK11, is seen wearing a batting helmet with a print of the Palestinian flag. He had come out to bat during the fourth over of a match against a side named Jammu Trailblazers.
Details of the Private Tournament Emerge
The event in question was the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League, organised by Sajid Bhat at a private ground. Both individuals involved are from Kashmir. Senior police officials have not yet made an official statement, with information currently emerging from sources within the department.
Brigadier Anil Gupta, the official in charge of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), was quick to distance the official cricketing body from the incident. He confirmed that the tournament was a private enterprise with no links to the JKCA.
JKCA Distances Itself from the Incident
In his statement, Brigadier Gupta emphasised, "The JKCA has nothing to do with this tournament. It is a privately organised event which involves local players, and strangely, even spectators are not allowed." He further clarified that the matter was brought to their notice but is being handled by the local police as it falls outside the JKCA's jurisdiction. "They will take necessary action," he stated.
The case highlights the sensitive nature of displaying symbols associated with international geopolitical issues in sporting events within the region. The police investigation is ongoing to ascertain the full context and intent behind the display of the flag on the cricketing equipment.
