'I Love India, I'm Sorry': Udaipur Teacher Held for Whatsapp Status on T20 Match

Attari's WhatsApp status, captioned 'we won' in Hindi, featured photos of Pakistani cricket players.

Nafisa Attari, a private school teacher from Rajasthan's Udaipur was expelled after she posted a WhatsApp status celebrating the Pakistan cricket team's win against India in the T20 World Cup. Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: PTI)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

Nafisa Attari, a private school teacher from Rajasthan's Udaipur was arrested on Monday, 25 October, after she posted a WhatsApp status celebrating the Pakistan cricket team's win against India in the T20 World Cup.

According to DSP Udaipur Mahendra Parik, an FIR under sections 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at the city's Amba Mata Police Station. She was later released on bail.

Attari's status, captioned 'we won' in Hindi, featured photos of Pakistani cricket players, news agency ANI reported.

Having to justify the update on the private messenger app, she stated, "Our family members were divided into two and supported their teams. This, in any way, does not mean that I am supporting Pakistan," The Indian Express quoted.

Following outrage by right-wing groups outside Udaipur's Neerja Modi School, she issued an apology and was expelled from her job.

"Someone messaged me asking whether I supported Pakistan. As the message contained emojis and it was a fun environment, I replied, 'Yes'. However, that doesn't mean that I support Pakistan. I am an Indian and I love my country. I love India as much as everyone else does," Attari said in a video message. "As soon as I realised that I have made a mistake, I deleted the post. I am sorry if I have hurt anybody's sentiments," she said, as per PTI.

Meanwhile, students, wardens and staff belonging to two medical colleges in Kashmir were also reportedly booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after they allegedly raised anti-India slogans and celebrated Pakistan's victory in Sunday's T20 World Cup match.

(With inputs from ANI and The Indian Express.)