New Delhi: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday agreed with Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s statement where he said that his country does not want Kashmir.
“What he said is right. They are unable to manage Pakistan; how will they manage Kashmir? Kashmir is and will always be a part of India,” Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
In a video that went viral on social media, Afridi said, “I say Pakistan doesn't want Kashmir. Don't give it to India either. Let Kashmir be independent. At least humanity will be alive. Let people not die. Pakistan doesn't want Kashmir. It can't even manage its four provinces. The big thing is humanity. People who are dying there (Kashmir). It is painful. Any death, be it from any community, is painful."
Afridi’s comments raised questions among critics about how Afridi, being a Pakistani, is looking at the facts and addressing the issue objectively while the Pakistani government fails to do so.
Afridi has always been vocal about his thoughts on Kashmir. Earlier this year, he wrote, “Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?”
Following this comment, many Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev, Gautam Gambhir, and Shikhar Dhawan came out and expressed their dissent on Afridi’s remarks.