Srinagar, Jul 16: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday expressed concern over recent developments in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure that cricket is not turned into a Jammu versus Kashmir issue.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said the JKCA should remain free from politics, corruption and regional bias, and voiced concern over what she described as attempts to undermine the association’s democratically elected leadership.
“It is disturbing to see a democratically elected JKCA being undermined without due process, with its President, Javid Khitab, and local clubs allegedly being targeted and removed because of their Kashmiri identity,” she said.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also expressed disappointment over the developments despite former J&K cricketer Mithun Manhas being part of the BCCI leadership.
Appealing to the BCCI to intervene, Mehbooba urged the cricket body to prevent political or regional considerations from influencing the sport.
“I urge the BCCI to stop this interference and ensure that cricket is not turned into a Jammu vs Kashmir issue. Let cricket, not identity, decide who represents India,” she said while tagging BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in her post.
Her remarks come amid an ongoing controversy within the JKCA over disputes related to club representation and the functioning of the association.
