Kerala varsity alumni face backlash for 'hosting' Afridi in Dubai; apologise
Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association, UAE Chapter (CUBAA) said it "did not invite" Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul
Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, an alumni association of Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Dubai is facing severe backlash online after two former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul were seen at their cultural event at Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) on May 25.
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Videos of Afridi being welcomed at Ormachuvadukal Season 2 event, an inter-collegiate dance competition organised by Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association, UAE Chapter (CUBAA), were shared widely online, and netizens have slammed the organisers.
Videos go viral
The event was held amid tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives of tourists. In response to this, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting several terror sites in Pakistan.
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In the videos that have gone viral, Afridi, who has criticised the Indian Army recently, is being welcomed with chants of “Boom” his nickname.
After the backlash, CUBAA clarified that Afridi and Gull were “not invited” by the organisers for the event.
What CUBBA said
In a statement, CUBAA apologised and said that the venue was booked on April 5, "well before the recent geopolitical tensions between India and a neighbouring nation began".
"We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to attendees, participants, or supporters due to this unplanned development. We deeply regret any hurt or offence our actions may have caused. It was never our intention, and we sincerely apologise to those affected."
The CUBAA said that the cricketers visited the same venue as part of the Guinness World Record for Largest UAE flag with handprints.
"As our programme was concluding, these cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance at our event, which was held in the same auditorium. We would like to categorically state that no member of our organising team, officials or alumni members invited them nor coordinated this appearance. Our officially published event schedule, which does not include these individuals as guests, further supports this."