Sedition charges dropped against Kashmiri students who celebrated Pakistan's win over India

Sedition charge against Kashmiri students dropped: Students who were suspended by Meerut University talk to media

The charges of sedition filed against a group of Kashmiri students by the Uttar Pradesh government have been withdrawn only hours after the Home Ministry demanded a report.

For cheering Pakistan’s win over India in Asia Cup, 67 Kashmiri students were suspended on Monday in Meerut by the Swami Vivekananda Subharti University.

The sedition charges were dropped by the Uttar Pradesh government after consulting the legal opinion of Law Ministry on the same issue. However, the charges of promoting enmity between two groups has not been withdrawn.

The action had been slammed by Omar Abdullah citing it as uncalled for and unacceptably harsh punishment, while also adding that the futures of these students are at stake and the punishment would further alienate them.

Following India’s loss at the hands of Pakistan in Asia Cup on Sunday, these students had allegedly celebrated Pakistan’s victory. The next day the security escorted them out of their hostels, saying that they were suspended for a total of three days, however they have not been allowed to return ever since.

“The college never heard our side of the story. Some us were crying as we had no money,” one of the students said, who has gone back to Kashmir.

A three-member committee under a Kashmiri professor has been formed to look into the details and compile a report, based on which a decision on the revocation of the suspension will be taken, said Vice Chancellor of the University, Manzoor Ahmad.

“If the Kashmiri students want to come and pursue their education in Pakistan, our hearts and academic institutions are open to them,” Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.

Micro-blogging site Twitter has been flooded with angry comments of the masses towards the government’s stance to file a sedition case against the 67 students.

The sad fact is that some of these students are recipients of the PM scholarship for Kashmiris. Perhaps They need to introspect.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014

Have just spoken to CM UP who has assured me he will personally look in to the matter of the Kashmiri students in Meerut.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014

Very glad that the UP Police has withdrawn the sedition case against the boys. Grateful to Akhilesh Yadav for his intervention in the case.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014