Former star all-rounder Shahid Afridi had to clarify his remarks regarding Kashmir while he blamed the Indian media for misconstruing his statements on Wednesday.
Afridi again came in hot water while expressing his feelings about the people of Kashmir. “The world has turned Kashmir into an issue. Kashmir is not an issue,” the 38-year-old cricketer told students at the British parliament.
In a special ceremony, he said, “I say…Pakistan does not want Kashmir. Don’t give it to India either. Let Kashmir become its own country. At least humanity should stay alive. The people who are dying, at least that [bloodshed] should not happen.”
VIDEO (COURTESY ARY NEWS):
“Pakistan is unable to take care of these four provinces. Do not give it to India either. Pakistan does not want Kashmir either. Humanity is a big thing. The people who are dying there, it hurts us. Any death, whichever religion they belong to, is painful,” he said.
But, despite what he thought of as good intention, Afridi’s comments didn’t go well with the media on both sides of the border.
Minutes after a video of his speech appeared on social media, his comments made headlines on Indian and Pakistani media outlets.
CLARIFICATION:
The hard-hitting batsman soon issued a statement on social media, clarifying his “passionate” remarks and accusing Indian media of misinterpreting his comments and presenting them “out of context”.
My comments are being misconstrued by Indian media! I'm passionate about my country and greatly value the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must prevail and they should get their rights.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
“My comments are being misconstrued by Indian media! I’m passionate about my country and greatly value the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must prevail and they should get their rights,” Afridi clarified in a tweet.
“My clip is incomplete & out of context as what I said before that is missing. Kashmir is unresolved dispute & under brutal Indian occupation. It must be resolved as per UN resolution. Myself along with every Pakistani support Kashmiri freedom struggle. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan,” he added.
My clip is incomplete & out of context as what I said before that is missing.Kashmir is unresolved dispute & under brutal Indian occupation. It must be resolved as per UN resolution. Myself along with every Pakistani support Kashmiri freedom struggle. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
This is not the first time that Afridi’s comments about Kashmir stirred a controversy.
In April, the former Pakistani cricketer had tweeted condemnation of a clampdown by Indian forces on civilians in occupied Kashmir which infuriated the neighbouring country’s media and players.
In 2016, ahead of a World T20 match in Mohali, he had said, “Many people here are from Kashmir.” He had also faced a backlash from his own country in 2016 after he said that he was showered with more love in India than in Pakistan.