 Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 16: Former Pakistani cricketer and outspoken critic of India, Shahid Afridi, has once again sparked controversy with his recent remarks praising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as a “progressive and peace-loving leader.”
Afridi, who has frequently echoed narratives supporting terrorism-related activities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, made the comments during an interview with a Pakistani news channel.
He also expressed outrage over Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players following a recent match.
In the interview, Afridi lauded Rahul Gandhi’s emphasis on peace and dialogue, stating that the Congress leader “believes in engaging every individual and fostering harmony.” He went further to describe Gandhi as “India’s only hope,” suggesting that his inclusive vision offers an alternative in a time of political and social unrest.
The remarks have quickly provided the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with new grounds to target the Congress. Party spokespersons are expected to point to Afridi’s endorsement as evidence of Congress’s alleged proximity to forces inimical to India’s unity and national security. BJP leaders have condemned the remarks, arguing that an individual long associated with terror propaganda cannot be considered a credible voice on India’s leadership.
The BJP is likely to amplify this controversy, framing it as part of a broader narrative that questions the opposition’s stance on national security.
The Congress, however, is anticipated to downplay the comments. Some party leaders are expected to argue that advocating peace and dialogue should not be politicized or misrepresented, while others may avoid direct rebuttals to prevent escalating the issue further.
Adding another dimension to the controversy is Afridi’s long-standing connection to terrorism in Kashmir. His cousin, Shaquib, was killed in an encounter with India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in Anantnag in 2003. The BSF had identified Shaquib as a battalion commander of the Harkat-ul-Ansar, a terror outfit later affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba — a front of the globally designated terrorist organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa, led by Hafiz Saeed.
According to the BSF, documents recovered from the encounter confirmed Shaquib’s familial links with Afridi. Originally from Peshawar, Shaquib had been operating in the Anantnag region for several months before he was neutralized in the operation.
With the political temperature rising, Shahid Afridi’s statements are expected to dominate headlines, intensify partisan debates, and further polarize discussions on national security, diplomacy, and electoral strategy. As the BJP seeks to corner the Congress, the opposition faces mounting pressure to clarify its position on peace initiatives and India’s sovereignty. |