SRINAGAR: A controversy has erupted after a cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir wore a helmet with the Palestinian flag during a private cricket league in Jammu.
The police have launched an inquiry to ascertain the facts, and the cricketer, along with the organiser of the league, were summoned for questioning.
The cricketer, Furqan Ul Haq, who was representing the local JK11 team in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket League, wore the Palestinian flag on his helmet during a match against the Jammu Trailblazers on Wednesday.
After the videos and photos of Furqan wearing Palestinian flag on his helmet went viral on social media, police took cognisance of the incident.
Police summoned Furqan and the organiser of the league, Zahid Bhat, to the Domana Police Station in Jammu for questioning.
"Both the cricketer and league organiser were grilled by the police officials about the incident. Furqan was questioned why he used the Palestinian flag and what his motive was behind it," a source said.
At least 10 teams are participating in the league, and the winner is scheduled to receive a prize of Rs 10 lakhs. The tournament started on December 29 in Jammu.
Jammu Rural SP, in a statement, said a video circulating on social media shows a cricket player, named Furqan Ul Haq S/o Tajamul Hussain Bhat R/o Tangipuna, Pulwama, playing cricket at KC Door, Muthi while displaying a Palestine logo on his helmet.
"In view of the sensitivity of the matter and its potential public order implications, a 14-day preliminary inquiry under Section 173(3) BNSS has been initiated at PS Domana to ascertain the facts, intent, background of the individual, and any possible linkages," police said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association has distanced itself from the tournament.
The board has claimed that it had no role in the J&K Champions League tournament as the league is not recognised by the JKCA.
BJP MLA R S Pathania said this type of act won’t be accepted and tolerated. "The incident appeared to be a deliberate attempt to use sports as a platform to push a subversive agenda or a reflection of complete ignorance about India’s official foreign policy stance. We think this is a nasty attempt to use a cricket ground as a platform for promoting a subversive agenda and it shows absolute obliviousness to the Indian stance," he said.
The BJP MLA demanded that a thorough inquiry of the incident should be conducted and guilty persons should be punished severely.