News Desk |
A number of Sikh spectators were pulled out from the Old Trafford stadium during the first semi-final of India vs New Zealand on Tuesday.
The Sikh spectators apparently wore T-shirts and held banners demanding a referendum on an independent homeland to be made out of India.
Pro-Khalistan slogans raised by #Sikhs during #IndVsNewZealand cricket match. #Sikh wore the shirts carrying the slogans of #Punjab Referendum 2020. #Khalistan2020Referendum #Khalistan #Khalistan2020 #India #ICCCricketWorldCup2019 #Khabarwalay pic.twitter.com/1EGPRPUIPO
— Khabarwalay (@khabarwalay0) July 10, 2019
Ground security went into the stands and got the fans out of the stadium without much resistance and handed them over to the police,” a police officer at the ground told AFP on condition of anonymity.
India expressed its concerns to ICC on multiple political slogans displayed by private jets and demanded clarity on the process put in place to avoid political slogan.
“There were four Sikh guys who were wearing T-shirts with some political message on them and it is not allowed.”
The supporters of Khalistan movement have been holding rallies in England to support their cause.
India has been confronting political protests during earlier matches.
Sikh fans ejected from India-NZ match after political protest https://t.co/MISX1DaNgX pic.twitter.com/XbEcMspbTL
— Dawn Facts (@dawnfact) July 9, 2019
In more than one match, private planes were spotted flying across the ground displaying political slogans on the banner.
A plane carrying a banner with the message “India stop Mob Lynching” and “Justice for Kashmir” crossed the Headingley ground during India-Sri Lanka match.
The International Cricket Council says it is "incredibly disappointed" after planes towing political messages flew over two #CricketWorldCup19 matches.
West Yorkshire Police say no crimes have been committed and "people have the legal right to protest"https://t.co/iMriPs9dgw
— LeedsLive News (@leedslivenews) July 8, 2019
Earlier, an aircraft flew with the banner “Justice for Balochistan” during the game between Afghanistan and Pakistan
India expressed its concerns to ICC on multiple political slogans displayed by private jets and demanded clarity on the process put in place to avoid political slogan fiasco in Manchester.
Read more: Justice for Kashmir banners flown over India-Sri Lanka Match
The airspace of Old Trafford stadium was declared a ‘no flying zone’ upon the request of Board of Control of Cricket in India. The Indian cricket board urged International Cricket Council to close the airspace of Old Trafford, Manchester ahead of India and New Zealand match on Tuesday, 9th July 2019 to avoid political sloganeering.
The game’s governing body previously said: “We do not condone any sort of political messages at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”