I have written about Cricket with Pakistan earlier too. But everytime, when the BCCI and the government rake up this issue of resuming “Cricketing ties with Pakistan” and with a decision taken to re-resume series with Pakistan, I am forced to repeat my strong views and objections.
For several years the government has been maintaining that there will be no cricket (atleast) with Pakistan till terrorism is completely eliminated. Till a couple of days ago our soldiers have been killed in the encounter war with the intruding terrorists.
The BCCI and the government are now interested more in filling up the coffers and the crores they would earn and forget the coffins of the martyrs who have been killed brutally in several terror attacks.
Those wanting cricket to be played, do not show any concern over the “mini-war” that has been thrust upon us by Pakistan and killing of innocent civilians by the Pak-sponsored militants, that has been continuing for decades.
People say that “sports and politics” should not be mixed….”! But, as far as playing sports with Pakistan is concerned, they are certainly never played in the true spirit. A match with Pakistan — be it hockey or cricket — is literally seen as a war, the ground being the battlefield!
How then will playing cricket help? Even while cricket is played killings would go unabatedly and there would be plans for more terror attacks on India. How can we enjoy a game at the cost of the lives of our own countrymen and brave jawans who defend the borders for our safety?
In fact cricket between these nations, is played in a sporting manner irrespective of the venue being England, Dubai or even Toronto! (There is still a section of people in our own country who cheer for Pakistan and burst crackers when they win! Why encourage this “cricket war “too?
Every now and then, both the governments decide to have talks on peace and to stop terrorism; and such talks have been going on for years and decades. All they decide in every bilateral talk is just to have another rounds of discussion and meeting a couple of months or a year hence! And the Pakistani President, Prime Minister and officials visit our Taj Mahal, click photographs and return only to forget about the meeting and the assurances. In the meantime, terror and border-attacks continue unabated.
One Russian jet was shot down by Turkey few days back. And Russia has snapped all ties with Turkey whereas we keep pampering Pakistan despite repeated “proxy war” through the terrorists with the Pakistani army support.
Till we see total cooperation from Pakistan in dismantling those terrorists’ camps and till our nation witness peaceful days, without any terror attack or a ceasefire violation, we should sever ties with Pakistan. In fact isolate Pakistan with no bilateral and cultural ties, no buses/trains, no sports no economic ties, no diplomatic relationships etc. and India will remain stronger.
S. Krishna Kumar
