Patriotism cannot be forced by batons, guns: Mehbooba

PDP chief seeks PM's intervention in release of three Kashmiri students held in Agra

Former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in the recent arrests of Kashmiri youth for allegedly celebrating Pakistan’s win against India in the T20 World Cup match.

“Patriotism and a sense of loyalty has to be cultivated with compassion and can’t be forced by wielding the baton or by the barrel of a gun. Such punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of mistrust and alienation between the younger generation and the rest of the country,” Ms. Mufti wrote.

Referring to the arrests of the three Kashmiri students in Uttar Pradesh and lodging of a case in Srinagar against medical students, Ms. Mufti said, “A friendly cricket match between India and Pakistan that was solely a source of entertainment for people here bruised by incessant lockdowns, Internet gag and restriction of movement, led to booking of youngsters under the draconian UAPA for simply choosing to cheer the winning side.”