Mustafa Kamal thanks Akhilesh Yadav for 'dropping' sedition charges on Kashmiri students

National Conference (NC) Party leader Mustafa Kamal on Friday thanked Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh government for withdrawing the sedition charges on Kashmiri students in Meerut for celebrating the Pakistani cricket team's win against India.

"It is a welcome move. Prompt action taken by UP government headed by Akhilesh Yadav. I personally thank them for this quick action," Kamal said.

"This has set many things addressed. There were parties which wanted to make this a political issue and that has been totally avoided," he added.

Kamal on Thursday said what the students had done was wrong as they should have behaved like sportsmen instead of behaving like politicians and that religion taught one to be faithful to one's own country and not disrespect it.

"They could have kept their sentiments under control instead of offending the people. They should have watched the sport as sportsmen instead of behaving like politicians," said Kamal.

"The students have said something which has offended the locals apparently. Although, I have not heard about any information about students being harassed. This is an action to a reaction, we may have some differences, but we belong to this country not any other," he said.

Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut expelled 67 Kashmiri students from the hostel after they had allegedly supported Pakistan cricket team against India in the Asia Cup match between the two sides last week. The students were booked under section 124 A (sedition), 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 427 (mischief) of IPC after a compaint by University Chancellor PK Garg.