WC Final: Pro-Palestine fan breaches security to reach Virat Kohli
Ahmedabad, Nov 19: A pro-Palestine fan breached a tight security cordon to enter the field of play in a desperate attempt to hug Virat Kohli during the World Cup final between India against Australia here on Sunday.
The incident happened before the first drinks break.
The security personnel apprehended the man, who was identified as Wayne Johnson, an Australian of Chinese-Filipino origin.
He was arrested and taken to Chand Kheda Police station.
Political sloganeering is an offence at cricket games but with Johnson being a foreign national, it is not yet known what kind of action will be taken against him.
Johnson wore a face mask with design of a Palestine flag and a T-shirt with slogans on both sides.
On the front of the t-shirt, 'stop bombing Palestine' was written and on the back, Save Palestine' .
His sudden intrusion caught everyone unaware but the security was quick to apprehend him.
The ICC doesn't allow any political sloganeering during its event and any such act is also not allowed in India.
Israel and Palestine Hamas group have been engaged in a war since October 7, when the latter attacked a music festival in Kibbutz Re'im.
The pitch invader , how he allowed to enter despite security raising a serious question . Areest him.#INDvsAUSfinalpic.twitter.com/GlixBPFBJ3
— Mufaddal Vohra (@Mufadal_bohra) November 19, 2023
"My name is John...I am from Australia. I entered (the field) to meet Virat Kohli. I support Palestine..."pic.twitter.com/oI0NrPdrxk https://t.co/svwAX7c2ju
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) November 19, 2023
#ICCCricketWorldCup | Security breach during the India versus Australia ICC World Cup 2023 Final match, in Ahmedabad after a spectator entered the field to meet Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/ZuvXlHMWp0
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023
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CJI Gavai flags absence of Chief Secretary, DGP during Maharashtra visit; Calls it protocol lapse
Stresses importance of constitutional respect between judiciary, executive, and legislature
Mumbai: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Sunday expressed concern over a perceived lapse in protocol during his first visit to Maharashtra after assuming office. Addressing a felicitation event organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in Mumbai, the CJI noted the absence of senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and Mumbai Police Commissioner, upon his arrival in the city.
Gavai, who hails from Maharashtra and became the second Dalit to be appointed as the CJI, highlighted that the absence of these key officials was disappointing and warranted introspection.
“When a person from Maharashtra becomes the Chief Justice of India and visits Maharashtra for the first time, if the Chief Secretary, DGP, or the Police Commissioner don’t consider it appropriate to be present, then they need to reflect on that,” Gavai said.
Emphasising that protocol is not a ceremonial formality but a reflection of institutional respect, the Chief Justice remarked, “Protocols are not something new — it’s a question of the respect one constitutional body gives to another.”
He also spoke on the importance of maintaining mutual respect among the three pillars of democracy, the judiciary, legislature, and executive. “Such courtesies are indicative of how constitutional bodies value each other’s roles,” he added.
In a lighter vein, Gavai quipped that had another Chief Justice been in his place, the matter might have invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, a provision that empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for doing complete justice.
Justice Gavai assumed office as the Chief Justice of India last month, becoming only the second Dalit to hold the position in the country’s judicial history.
