A major controversy has broken out after Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul appeared at a dance event in Dubai, organised by a group claiming to be alumni of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). The event was held on 25 May and has triggered strong criticism from several quarters in India.
Video goes viral, sparks outrage
The event was organised by the Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA), UAE. A video of Afridi being welcomed at the venue went viral, with people in the crowd cheering him and shouting his nickname "Boom Boom." The event was hosted at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), which has also added to the controversy.
Following backlash, CUBAA UAE issued an apology, saying Afridi’s appearance was not planned and they never intended to invite him. They said they booked PAD as a venue long before any tensions between India and Pakistan escalated and could not change the location at the last minute.
Cusat denies any connection
Cusat was quick to distance itself from the event. In a statement, the university said it had no links to CUBAA UAE. It clarified that its only official alumni body is the Cusat Alumni Network (CAN), and that it was not aware of any such programme happening in Dubai.
The university said it had no affiliation, partnership, or communication with CUBAA UAE and had not authorised or supported the event in any way.
Political groups demand action
Several organisations linked to the Sangh Parivar, including the ABVP, strongly condemned the event. BJP leader K Surendran accused the organisers of insulting the memory of Indians who died in the Pahalgam terror attack. He said on Facebook, “If not traitors, what else can you call the Malayali organisation that brought Pakistani cricketers for a celebration in Dubai?”
ABVP leaders have gone a step further, demanding that the passports of CUBAA UAE office-bearers be cancelled. They have written to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs, calling for a probe into the incident.
Organisers say cricketers just showed up
In a detailed statement, the organisers said they had no role in bringing Afridi or Gul to the event. They claimed the cricketers had arrived at the PAD building for a different event and made an unexpected appearance at the alumni gathering, which was just wrapping up.
They stressed that neither Afridi nor Gul was listed on their official programme. “We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused. The cricketers' arrival was completely unplanned and we were not able to manage the crowd due to the surprise,” the statement said.
A sincere apology
CUBAA ended its note by expressing deep regret. “We apologise to anyone who was hurt or offended by what happened. It was never our intention to upset anyone or bring disrespect to our country,” they said.
The incident continues to stir debate, especially with calls for investigations into how the event was organised and what links, if any, exist between the organisers and official alumni networks.
Inputs from TOI
Video goes viral, sparks outrage
The event was organised by the Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA), UAE. A video of Afridi being welcomed at the venue went viral, with people in the crowd cheering him and shouting his nickname "Boom Boom." The event was hosted at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), which has also added to the controversy.
Shameful! Kerala community in Dubai cheering anti-India Shahid Afridi, who mocks our soldiers & supports terror, is a disgusting betrayal. CUBAA’s “uninvited” excuse is pathetic—chanting “Boom Boom” for a jihadi sympathizer? Disgraceful! 🇮🇳 demands better! #CondemnAfridi pic.twitter.com/kssJoakYVv
— Spydr (@AtulRaj91844463) May 31, 2025
Following backlash, CUBAA UAE issued an apology, saying Afridi’s appearance was not planned and they never intended to invite him. They said they booked PAD as a venue long before any tensions between India and Pakistan escalated and could not change the location at the last minute.
Cusat denies any connection
Cusat was quick to distance itself from the event. In a statement, the university said it had no links to CUBAA UAE. It clarified that its only official alumni body is the Cusat Alumni Network (CAN), and that it was not aware of any such programme happening in Dubai.
The university said it had no affiliation, partnership, or communication with CUBAA UAE and had not authorised or supported the event in any way.
Political groups demand action
Several organisations linked to the Sangh Parivar, including the ABVP, strongly condemned the event. BJP leader K Surendran accused the organisers of insulting the memory of Indians who died in the Pahalgam terror attack. He said on Facebook, “If not traitors, what else can you call the Malayali organisation that brought Pakistani cricketers for a celebration in Dubai?”
ABVP leaders have gone a step further, demanding that the passports of CUBAA UAE office-bearers be cancelled. They have written to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of External Affairs, calling for a probe into the incident.
Organisers say cricketers just showed up
In a detailed statement, the organisers said they had no role in bringing Afridi or Gul to the event. They claimed the cricketers had arrived at the PAD building for a different event and made an unexpected appearance at the alumni gathering, which was just wrapping up.
They stressed that neither Afridi nor Gul was listed on their official programme. “We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused. The cricketers' arrival was completely unplanned and we were not able to manage the crowd due to the surprise,” the statement said.
A sincere apology
CUBAA ended its note by expressing deep regret. “We apologise to anyone who was hurt or offended by what happened. It was never our intention to upset anyone or bring disrespect to our country,” they said.
The incident continues to stir debate, especially with calls for investigations into how the event was organised and what links, if any, exist between the organisers and official alumni networks.
Inputs from TOI
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