It’s a good thing to hoist the Indian tricolour, right? That is how we express our pride and respect for our country. But sometimes that can get you into trouble. If you’re in Pakistan. And you’re a Pakistani who loves Indian cricketers. And you’re a Virat Kohli fan. And if your name is Umar Daraz!
Why Umar Daraz was arrested
Virat Kohli and his fan, Umar Daraz
So when India finally did something to save face by winning the fifth ODI after four one day losses against the Australians, all of India – and some of Pakistan – were very happy. Umar Daraz is a huge fan of our very own Virat Kohli and he decided to celebrate when the Indian team won the 5th ODI. So Okara, a city 200 miles south of Islamabad – saw something very unusual: an Indian flat on the roof top of Umar Daraz’s house.
This was his way of showing his admiration for Virat Kohli, his favourite player. Of course the flag hoisting was reported, the flag was taken down and man was promptly arrested and charged with a battery of allegations including disrupting public order and actions against the sovereignty of Pakistan. He could face up to 10 years in prison for his foolhardy and misguided celebration. Poor guy! He didn’t even know he was committing a crime with his seemingly innocuous tribute to Indian cricketers.
But where did he get the flag?
Fans wave flags at matches
This is the thought that instantly occurs – at least it did me: where did he get an Indian flat in what must be the Pakistani equivalent of the boondocks? After all it wasn’t as if he just had to wait at a traffic light on 25th January to have dozens of tricolours in varying sizes, tricoloured wristbands, sun visors and lapel pins thrust at him by importunate street urchins! Finding an Indian flat in Pakistan would have to be a tall task. Turns out the guy was a tailor and he himself sewed the tricolour that he later hoisted.
It is now up to the courts to decide whether to punish Daraz or accept an apology for the way in which he expressed his admiration for Indian cricketers. We in India are likely to be rooting for the latter.
Author: Reena Daruwalla
