Srinagar: Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the ongoing developments within the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), alleging that the elected body is being undermined and that its President, Javid Kitab, is being targeted because of his Kashmiri identity.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mehbooba appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene immediately, asserting that cricket must remain above politics, regional divisions and personal interests.
“Very disturbing developments taking place in JKCA. The JKCA must remain above politics, corruption, and regional bias. Expected better under our own BCCI President, Mithun Manhas, but it’s disturbing to see a democratically elected JKCA being undermined without due process, with its President, Javid Kitab, and local clubs allegedly targeted and removed because of their Kashmiri identity,” she wrote.
She further urged the BCCI leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that cricket administration is not influenced by regional considerations.
“BCCI must intervene to stop this interference and ensure cricket is not turned into a Jammu vs Kashmir issue. Let cricket, not identity, decide who represents India. Requesting BCCI and Jay Shah to intervene. FYI Amit Shah,” her post added.
The latest political intervention comes amid months of turmoil within the JKCA despite the association’s elected body being allowed to assume charge following judicial proceedings.
The controversy escalated after differences emerged between President Javid Kitab and a majority of the Apex Council members. The majority of office bearers, largely belonging to the Jammu region, questioned the functioning of the President and initiated decisions that effectively sought to curtail his authority, including passing a resolution to remove him from office.
However, that move was subsequently challenged, with President Kitab convening a Special General Meeting (SGM), where the decision was overturned. The dispute thereafter moved back to the courts, leading to further legal proceedings.
In one of the latest developments, the court directed BCCI President Mithun Manhas to facilitate mediation between the rival factions in an effort to resolve the administrative deadlock.
The prolonged dispute has effectively stalled the smooth functioning of the association at a time when cricket activities in Jammu & Kashmir require administrative stability.
The controversy has also sparked debate over regional representation within the JKCA administration.
Among the elected office bearers, President Javid Kitab and Joint Secretary Wajahat Hussain are the only representatives from the Kashmir Valley, while the remaining office bearers belong to the Jammu region. This aspect has now become central to the political narrative after Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the President was being targeted because of his regional identity.
While Mufti has described the developments as evidence of regional bias, the rival faction within the JKCA has maintained that the dispute relates to administrative functioning and governance rather than regional considerations.
The matter continues to remain sub judice, with mediation efforts expected to play a significant role in determining the future course of the association.
