During the ongoing cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in the India World Cup 2023, a video has surfaced, sparking controversy as it shows a police officer instructing a Pakistani fan not to chant “Pakistan Zindabad” within the stadium.
In the video, the police officer can be observed asking the fan to instead chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” a slogan commonly used to express patriotic sentiments towards India. The fan complies with the request and chants “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” However, when he attempts to repeat “Pakistan Zindabad,” the police officer, along with another stadium official, intervenes to prevent him from doing so.
This incident has ignited a discussion on the freedom of expression and the atmosphere surrounding sports events, particularly in situations involving intense cricket rivalries like the one between Pakistan and India. It is a reminder of the complexity and sensitivity that often characterizes sports events at the international level, where national pride and fervent support for one’s team can sometimes lead to such incidents.
