Kerala Community In Dubai Faces Backlash For Hosting Shahid Afridi Amid Recent India-Pakistan Tensions

A Kerala community in Dubai has come under intense social media fire after inviting former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi to a recent gathering. The backlash stems from Afridi’s remarks made after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people and significantly worsened India-Pakistan relations.

Last week, the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA) hosted an event at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), where they warmly welcomed Shahid Afridi despite his history of controversial remarks about India.

A video circulating on social media shows Afridi receiving a heartfelt welcome on stage from the Kerala community in Dubai, greeted with enthusiastic applause. During his speech, Afridi singled out Kerala, expressing his fondness for “the Kerala region in India and its cuisine.”

Many online critics accused the community of showing misplaced hospitality, sparking widespread debate and anger.

Following the backlash, CUBAA issued a statement clarifying that the Pakistani cricketers, including Afridi, had not been invited to their event. According to the association, they happened to be at the same venue for a different program and appeared unexpectedly.

During India-Pakistan tensions, Afridi drew sharp criticism for his inflammatory remarks. Afridi appeared on Pakistani television and openly blamed India’s security forces, questioning their competence:

"Tum logon ki 8 lakh hi fauj hai Kashmir mein aur yeh ho gaya. Iska matlab nalayak ho, nikamme ho na tum log security de nahi sake logon ko"
(“You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir and this still happened. It means you are inefficient and useless if you can't protect the people.”)

Later, following India’s strikes on multiple Pakistani security targets during Operation Sindoor, he also reportedly led a car rally celebrating what he called Pakistan’s ‘victory’ in the conflict, further fueling controversy.