Cricketers should contribute in transforming youth in Srinagar than making 'unreasonable' remarks: PDP

Srinagar (J&K) [India], Apr. 13 (ANI): Hours after Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir and former cricketer Virender Sehwag condemned the video showing a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel being attacked by a youth in Srinagar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the players should help transforming the youngster in the Valley rather than making 'unreasonable' statements . "These stars should make much reasonable statements to address the alienation here as they are popular in Kashmir. Cricket has huge popularity in Kashmir. These cricketers may be don't know that how much youngsters in Kashmir really follow the Indian cricket. We will really appreciate if these people can come and work for the betterment of players and do something to promote cricket. They should spend time with youth and transform them. I think it will be much better message than saying to kill them or alienate them. I think it would not serve the cause of the country," PDP leader Waheed Rehman Para told ANI. Para further said that if the cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar would make reasonable statements then it will have an emotional impact on the youth. "These stars can emotionally help us in integration. They should make emotional appeals and should also come here and work with us to promote sportsmanship, team spirit. It is also their responsibility to transform the children," he added. Meanwhile, Kashmiri activist Sushil Pandit lauded the cricketers for coming out in support of the CRPF jawan and said everyone should stand up and be counted in support of Indian soldiers. "I salute Gautam Gambhir for his comments and tweets. I think he has shown the way for all iconic Indians successful leaders in their respective fields. However, they are serving India they must be visible, audible and must stand up and be counted in support of our soldiers who are fighting a grim battle for India in Kashmir. This is the time when all Indians must stand up and be counted," he added. Earlier in the day, strongly condemning the video Gambhir said that at least a 100 jihadi lives must be taken for every slap on an Indian soldier's face. The video features a CRPF personnel using immense restraint even when he is attacked by the youth. The video shows the jawan walking when suddenly a local attacks him. The impact of the attack makes the jawan's helmet roll down the road. This caused him some injuries. Expressing his anger towards the same, Gambhir wrote on Twitter, "For every slap on my army's Jawan lay down at least a 100 jihadi lives. Whoever wants Azadi LEAVE NOW! Kashmir is ours. #kashmirbelongs2us." Meanwhile, Sehwag also criticized the video, saying that abuse of the country's CRPF jawan is completely unacceptable. "This is Unacceptable ! Can't do this to our CRPF jawaans .This rot has to stop. Badtameezi ki hadd hai," Sehwag tweeted.(ANI)