Security across Jammu and Kashmir has been beefed up further ahead of the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final match at Mohali. Yet the authorities are keeping their fingers crossed as the passion run high with the population’s devotion being at variance rather diametrically opposed.
Vast majority of Kashmiri Muslims has traditionally sided with Pakistani teams-be it cricket or hockey, at any international event and, when playing with India, the situation has often turned contentious. In the backdrop of Kashmir conflict, politics would easily muscle in and with vested interests seizing the opportunity to their advantage, many a sports events, no matter who would emerge as winner or loser, turned out to be a law and order problem.
In state’s Jammu region, mainly predominantly Hindu plains, it has been an altogether different story. Like in politics, the people of Jammu, excluding many of those living in hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, have been irreconcilable to many such likes and dislikes of the Valley residents.
The Jammuites have always taken pride in siding with “motherland” India and ridiculed those who wish to be distinguished as belonging to the rival camp and even openly called them “traitors”.
The state’s third region Ladakh also has a preference for India and necessarily does not subscribe to what has been the Valley’s trademark.
Religion, ethnicity or region hardly plays a role when it comes to supporting the country’s team at an international event.
During the Kargil war, a Srinagar-based cameraman working with a national TV channel had to eat crow when a Muslim waiter at the hotel he was staying along with several other mediapersons objected to his siding with the Pakistan cricket team that too merely while watching it playing with India on television. The Kargil resident even threatened to report the matter to the Army, which was fighting back the Pakistani “intruders” close at hand.
The problem existing primarily in Kashmir Valley, took a more serious turn following thousands of paramilitary personnel drawn from different far off states of the country moved in to combat militancy or for maintenance of law. Though these men in khaki have over the years virtually disseminated with the local population, they have not reconciled to the latter’s openly showing loyalty for Pakistani teams, particularly when it is pitched against India. The divergence has on occasions led to violent street clashes.