The controversial event organised by the unrecognised body “CUBAA-UAE” (claiming to represent alumni of Cochin University) at the Pakistan Association Hall (PAD), Dubai, has triggered a national outcry after damning evidence emerged of active involvement by Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul. The event, held on May 25 amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, has raised serious national security concerns and prompted strong demands for swift government action.
Despite the organisers’ claims that Afridi “gatecrashed” the event, video and photographic evidence clearly show AKCAF-UAE General Secretary Deepu personally escorting Afridi into the venue, interrupting a live stage program, and inviting him to speak to the Malayali audience gathered there. Deepu is seen taking the microphone, introducing Afridi to the crowd, and leading them in chants of “Boom Boom Afridi.”
Afridi later interacted with attendees, praised Kerala and its people, and was presented with a grand memento by the organisers — completely negating claims that his visit was uninvited or accidental.
University Disowns the Event
In a press release, the Cochin University of Science and Technology clarified that it has no affiliation with CUBAA-UAE and is unaware of any such registered alumni body abroad. This throws into question the legitimacy of the organisers and the actual purpose of the event.
A Consistent Pattern of Ideological Alignment
Deepu, who played a central role in the event, has frequently been seen sharing the stage with Kerala-based controversial personalities. Of note, Fazal Gafoor, chairman of the Muslim Education Society in Kerala — who was previously seen in similar Dubai gatherings — had made public remarks supportive of the now-banned radical outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). This ideological proximity raises further suspicions.
Pakistan’s Parallel Propaganda Campaign
This incident is particularly disturbing as it occurred during India’s official diplomatic outreach following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. On May 21, the Indian government launched a global diplomatic effort to highlight Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, sending an all-party delegation to the UAE led by Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde.
Simultaneously, Pakistan was executing a counter-campaign using celebrities, journalists, and influencers. Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul, both present in the UAE at the time, are well-known figures who have historically voiced anti-India sentiments. The presence of these figures — with visible ties to the Pakistani establishment — appears far from coincidental.
Importantly, Times Now and other credible sources have reported that Shahid Afridi’s cousin was a member of the banned terror outfit Harkat-ul-Ansar, and was killed by Indian security forces in Kashmir in 2003. This familial link to terrorism adds a chilling layer to Afridi’s participation in a public event hosted by an Indian-origin organisation on foreign soil.
Timing, Venue, and Intent Under Scrutiny
The event venue — Pakistan Association Hall — was booked on April 5, well before the April 11 Pahalgam attack. Yet, despite growing Indo-Pak hostilities and the killing of civilians and soldiers, CUBAA-UAE chose not to change or cancel the venue. Instead, they went ahead with the event just days after India’s major diplomatic campaign began.
Organisers also admitted to having longstanding ties with the Pakistan Association, suggesting an ongoing, deliberate relationship with a venue under the patronage of the Pakistani Embassy. This deepens suspicion that the May 25 event was not merely a cultural gathering but a coordinated information warfare exercise aimed at undermining India’s narrative on the global stage.
A Call for Swift and Exemplary Government Action
At a time when India is unified in its stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, this reckless event by a leftist-Islamist network operating in disguise demands urgent and exemplary action. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs must
• Launch a high-level probe into the activities of CUBAA-UAE and its office-bearers.
• Identify and investigate links between the Pakistani Embassy, Pakistan Association officials, and the organisers.
• Cancel passports and OCI cards of any Indian nationals found collaborating with foreign entities to propagate anti-India sentiments.
• Create a registry of vetted diaspora organisations to prevent misuse of Indian identity abroad.
This is not just a matter of protocol — it is a matter of national honour, sovereignty, and security. Foreign soil cannot be allowed to become a safe haven for betrayal, propaganda, or collusion with the enemy. The perpetrators must face strict consequences to send a loud and clear message: anti-national actions, even abroad, will not go unpunished.
