NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday backed former Pakistani cricket captain Shahid Afridi’s remarks over Kashmir.
In a press conference, Singh said “He (Afridi) was right in saying that Pakistan is not able to handle its own four provinces, what will they handle Kashmir. Kashmir was a part of India, is a part of India and will always be a part of India.
In a press conference in London, the United Kingdom, the former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi had said that Pakistan does not need Kashmir.
In a tweet on Wednesday, 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.”
Afridi has been criticised for the statement made on Sunday with former captain Javed Miandad calling it shameful. The flamboyant allrounder has also been issued a legal notice in Lahore for his comment.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has hit out at the sections of Indian media for “celebrating” the remarks of Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi on Kashmir, saying he had clearly supported freedom for Kashmir.
India and Pakistan have been for a long time engaged in intense war of words over the Kashmir issue. Both the countries have raked up the issue in many international platforms including the UN Security Council.
