Kolkata: The 45th President of the United States is determined to combat Islamic terrorism. His policy to ban people entering the United States from seven Muslim majority countries like Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen has garnered a mixed response. And now, bearing the brunt of his official order are two Kashmiri snowshoers who have not been granted visa, reports PTI. The two athletes are Abid Khan and Tanveer Hussain who were scheduled to participate in the World Snowshoe Championships in New York between February 24 and 25.
Khan claimed that despite all the paper works being done, the visa was not granted. “The lady officer at US embassy in New Delhi after checking all docs (sic), just went inside into another room. After returning she said ‘Sorry, due to our current policy we can’t issue you visa,’” Khan said.
Now, India is not in the list of the nations whose citizens are banned from entering the United States for a period of 90 days, but the question that haunts is why these two Kashmiris have not been granted visa. It raises eyebrows and also lends credence to the fact that Trump is anti-Muslim. Or is it got to do with Trump’s attitude towards Pakistan which has faced flak for supporting separatism in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)? Trump is yet to speak to the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after entering the Oval Office. He has already had a word with India’s Premier, Narendra Modi.
There are reports floating around that extreme vetting of visitors from Pakistan and Afghanistan is on the cards. Perhaps, Trump looks at Kashmiris with suspicion and the victims have been two sports persons. It is unfortunate, but blame the youth who have gone astray after being instigated by Pakistan. When JuD, Chief Hafiz Saeed who has been house arrested says in Pakistan, the Kashmiri freedom struggle will get an impetus after his detention, Pakistan’s image only gets a further jolt. “If someone thinks that placing me under house arrest will help check freedom movement in Kashmir he is living in a fool’s paradise. My arrest will give a fresh impetus to the Kashmiris’ struggle against India,” Saeed was quoted by PTI. So, Pakistan learn a lesson or two!