Cricket fan arrested Pakistan cricket jersey in Assam

In a shocking incident, a youngster in Assam has been arrested and put behind bars after he was seen wearing Pakistan cricket team jersey in a local cricket match, as quoted from India.com.

Ripon Chowdhury, who is a local resident, wore a green Pakistan team jersey to a match at the District Sports Association Playground. It was later revealed that he is a die-hard fan of Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi and that is why he decided to wear the particular jersey for the match.

This incident didn’t go well with some individuals and political groups who objected to it and termed the youth ‘anti-nationalist’. They said such acts bring out the anti-nationalist mindset of the individual and strict action needs to be taken to prohibit it from happening in the future. One of such groups is the local Bhartiya JanataYuva Morcha (youth wing of BJP) who was very critical of the whole incident and decided to complain against the youth.

Ripon was arrested on Saturday by the Assam Police after an FIR under section 120 (B) and 294 of the IPC was filed against him. Section 120 (B) provides for punishment for criminal conspiracy whereas section 294 deals with doing any obscene act in public. He is still in police custody after the court had ordered to send him to jail.

“Assam youth, a Shahid Afridi fan arrested for wearing Pakistan Jersey after a complaint by the youth wing of BJP. FIR registered u/s120(B),294 IPC,” as reported by India.com.

A similar incident occurred earlier this year in Pakistan where a youth was arrested for cheering for India. Umar Daraz, a cricket fanatic, later revealed that he is an avid follower of Virat Kohli and he raised the Indian flag at his home as a tribute to the prolific batsman.

Daraz’s house was raided by the police on the basis of a complaint by the locals, and was taken into custody and later sentenced to 10 years in jail by the District Court under section 123-A of Pakistan Penal Code and section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order. The Pakistani is a tailor by profession.