Massive controversy rocks J&K Champions League as cricketer summoned for sporting Palestine flag on helmet

New Delhi: A massive controversy rocked the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League after a cricketer was seen sporting a Palestine flag on his helmet. During a recent match in Jammu, batter Furqan Bhat, who was playing for the local JK11 team against the Jammu trailblazers, was seen wearing a helmet with a Palestine flag which sparked nationwide attention.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police took immediate notice of the same and summoned Bhat for questioning. It is being learnt that the authorities are investigating the circumstances under which the flag was displayed while the police is also looking after the motive behind supporting the flag.

⛔Cricketer Furkan Bhatt was seen wearing a helmet featuring the Palestinian flag 🇵🇸, drawing attention and prompting action from authorities. This happened during the #JammuKashmir Champions League in #Jammu. pic.twitter.com/rkQ5FgvCsQ

— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) January 1, 2026

Bhat summoned by cops, organiser under scanner

Apart from the cricketer, league organiser Zahid Bhat is also under the scanner and police are probing whether the organisers and person who provided the ground for the match were aware of the incident and if any permissions were sought before hand. Further investigations in the matter remain to be in process. Since the match took place in the Jammu city of J&K so the cricketer has been summoned by the Jammu Rural police for inquiry.

The Jammu controversy erupted as protests continue across the globe, supporting the Palestinians’ demand for statehood, months after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the armed group that governs the narrow Gaza Strip. The protest seem to have intensified as Gaza suffers acute food and live-saving medicines shortage.

As reported by few publications, there are rumours floating that the cricketer has already been banned after the eruption of the controversy.