Shahid Afridi supported ‘free Kashmir’, why Indian media is celebrating: Omar Abdullah

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday slammed Indian media for celebrating the remarks of Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi on Kashmir, saying he had clearly supported freedom for Kashmir.

Taking to social networking site Twitter Omar wrote, “I don’t get what sections of the Indian media are celebrating WRT #ShahidAfridi’s statement. Forget what he said about Pakistan’s 4 provinces, the byte I saw clearly had him supporting freedom for Kashmir & criticising human rights violations so how is that a victory for India.”

I don’t get what sections of the Indian media are celebrating WRT #ShahidAfridi’s statement. Forget what he said about Pakistan’s 4 provinces, the byte I saw clearly had him supporting freedom for Kashmir & criticising human rights violations so how is that a victory for India?

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 14, 2018

Earlier, in the day, while addressing the students at British Parliament, Shahid Afridi said “Don’t give Kashmir to Pakistan or India either. Let them be independent. Humanity is big thing. Human are being killed there (Kashmir). It hurts to see humans are being killed whatever religion they may belong.”

“It hurts to see the sufferings of Kashmiris, For the sake of #Humanity #India and #Pakistan should leave #Kashmir and let the Kashmiris decide their future, we are already struggling to manage four provinces” says @SAfridiOfficial speaking to the students at British Parliament. pic.twitter.com/MKaSGYBJWe

— Farid Qureshi (@faridque) November 13, 2018

The cricketer also took a dig at Pakistan saying that the country was already struggling to manage its four provinces.

Later, despite voices in Pakistan also agreeing with Afridi, he went on the back foot and issued a tweet saying that his comments were being interpreted wrongly. Afridi said, “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.”

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

He further added that his comment was incomplete. “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 tweeted.

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

However, this is not the first time when Shahid Afridi has expressed his views on Kashmir. The former cricketer had earlier urged the United Nations to intervene in Kashmir to stop the killing of Kashmiris.

Also Read: Rajnath Singh agrees with Shahid Afridi; takes jibe at Pakistan