INDIA FAULTERED, PAKISTAN FOULED : CRICKET HAS BECOME POLITICAL

What happened today in Mumbai was shameful and every Indian must be ashamed to the treatment given by the IPL franchises to the 11 Pakistani Players on Auction. Pakistan is not slated to play any international Cricket in the IPL 3 slot and hence the excuse that availability of Pakistani players was an issue is totally false. The decision by the franchises is not only incorrect cricketing wise but has insulted Pakistan as a nation.

Why were the Pakistani Players asked to get NOCs from the Pakistani Cricket Board, why were they are to get their VISAs sorted out, why all the drama over the deadlines when you knew that the franchises would not be able to pick the Pakistani players under Government pressure.

India accuses of Pakistan of 26/11 but then we cannot be at war with our neighbours indefinitely. It is so easy in India to create an Anti Pakistan Environment. Activist television channels package anger. Many seek hot pursuits of terrorists and the destruction of terror camps across the border, the government finds itself besieged. Sending troops across the border is, of course, not an option, but the popular mood usually demands a demonstration of action, and it was very easy for our politicians to use cricket as a tool of appeasement. Today the franchises took an easy option ….. an option to please the people and the government.

In the end, I must say Cricket will be a causality. Make no mistake, Pakistan is World Cup T20 champions and they were runner up in the 1^st edition. No one knows to play T20 better than the Pakistanis. We have been stolen with an opportunity to see the best in action.

Pakistani Players and nation as a whole would be upset with the way they were treated by Indians. I, as an Indian apologise. Initiatives like Aman Ki Asha need to reach more people than they are doing right now. I hope common sense will prevail and we get to see people to people contact between the two nations.

CRICKET IS A CASUALITY OF TERRORISM

Indian Government has cancelled the Cricket tour to Pakistan. Pre 26/1 too, this tour was always in trouble after Champions Trophy was postponed with western teams citing security problems. Dhoni and Tendulkar had expressed reservations due to the volatile security situation, especially after the Marriot attack in Islamabad. But even in 2003-04 the tour was almost called off. Like now, the players didn't want to go then. An attempt had been made on the life of the Pakistan president a few days previously, and an air of fear and uncertainty prevailed then. But the right decision was made it in the end to tour Pakistan, and the series turned out to be epochal. That the cricket was sensational was only incidental: the tour generated a wave of goodwill and bonhomie not seen which it is said created the biggest exodus from India to Pakistan since Partition.

However things changed post 26/11. India burns with anger and indignation over the state's failure to protect its citizens. Preliminary evidence suggests that the terrorists who carried out 26/11 attacks in Mumbai were trained and controlled by groups based in Pakistan. Argument from Pakistan is that it not as if the state of Pakistan is behind the attacks. It itself is a victim of terror at the moment; in recent months, terrorists have claimed the life of Benazir Bhutto, and carried out a horrific attack on the Marriott hotel in Islamabad - but in these charged and emotional times, lines have blurred.

Activist television channels have taken to packaging anger. With fiery anchors fanning the flames, encouraging audiences to seek hot pursuits of terrorists and the destruction of terror camps across the border, the government found itself besieged. Sending troops across the border is, of course, not an option, but the popular mood demands a demonstration of action, and it was very easy for our politicians to use cricket as a tool of appeasement.

If one looks at the step, it amounts to very little to what happened in Mumbai, but it is heavy on symbolism: a strong diplomatic measure against a nation accused of, if nothing else, prolonged inaction against terrorists originating within its borders who wreak havoc in the neighbouring country. It's another matter that the Indian government itself stands similarly accused.

All said and done, I agree with the decision. It wouldn’t be right that our cricketers extend a hand of friendship when a nation is still in agony. The scars of 26/11 are still too fresh.

I work in Dubai and it gives me an exposure to interact with a lot of Pakistani nationals. They, understandably, are not happy with this decision. We need to understand that the Fans in Pakistan are not terrorists and that they too are not enjoying the state of terror in their country. Pakistan hasn’t seen any International cricket on their soil last year and they looked upon India and Sri Lanka to understand their pain and sympathise with them. After all- India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all plagued by terrorism for some time now.

Of course, a lot is down to perceptions. India, a vast and vibrant democracy founded on Western liberalism, and an emerging economic giant, presents a picture of stability and strength despite its problems. Whereas Pakistan, which has lurched between dysfunctional democracy and army-backed dictatorship, and has acquired a reputation as a hotbed of militancy, has always felt more dangerous to Westerners. Also, India underpins the global cricket economy. The cancellation of the Twenty20 Champions League directly affects the finances of many cricket boards, and the IPL has shown the players the kind of instant wealth that would have been beyond their dreams a year ago. Just like the American economy, the Indian cricket economy involves all cricket nations. The global recession spread from the subprime crisis in America. Everyone wants to be spared the chill; the anxiety to keep Indian cricket in good health is born, at least partly, of the natural instinct for self-preservation. It is unpalatable but understandable. So anxiety and anger of Pakistani Cricketing fraternity is understandable. BCCI should now be ready for a back lash. Steps like Pakistani Players being not allowed to take part in IPL and ICL could be a possibility. Ban on Pakistani cricketers from the ICL could be lifted. And so on and so forth.

As I said, I agree with the decision of India not going to Pakistan at this moment of time. Emotions are on a high at least in this side of border. It would have been unfair on Cricketers who wouldn’t have had loss as an option. But at the same time we must remember that Sports and Politics are separate issues and need to be dealt separately. Yes there are extraordinary times like these when the lines have to erased but then we need to remember to draw the lines between them as soon as possible. We must never forget that we and Pakistan share languages, food and a culture and that the problems between India and Pakistan have never involved the people. In fact, it is to the contrary: most problems have arisen and festered because people have been kept apart by politics.

It is very sad that time has come that Indian Cricket board has to take this decision of not touring Pakistan. . The horrific tragedy in Mumbai was one of those extraordinary situation. Playing cricket with Pakistan now, wouldn't have felt right. But as life regains its course, as it must, so will cricket. At this point it is merely a question of timing.

India : A nation of Cowards

14 Incidents of terrorism in last 3 years have left us speechless. But I would like you all to study the pattern of these blasts


Oct. 29, 2005 – Delhi- 62 Killed, 3 Blasts
March 7, 2006- Varanasi, opposite to a temple - 20 Killed
July 11, 2007- 7 Blasts in trains in Mumbai, at least 200 killed
Sept. 8, 2006- Malegaon, Communally sensitive city – 31 Killed .
Feb. 19, 2007- blast in a train heading to Pakistan- 68 killed
May 18, 2007- Blast in a Mosque in Hyderabad –11 killed
Aug. 25, 2007- 3 Bombs- 43 killed in Hyderabad
Oct. 11, 2007- Ajmer, City of famous Dargah - 3 killed
Oct. 14, 2007- Ludhiana during Eid al-Fitr, killing six people.
Nov. 24, 2007- cities of Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad, killing at least 16
people. All Communally sensitive places.
May 13, 2008- Outside Hindu Temples, Jaipur
July 25, 2008- Seven small bombs hit Bangalore, 2 Killed
July 26, 2008- 22 Bombs in Ahmedabad at least 42 people.
Sept. 13, 2008- As many as five explosions, in Delhi during the Ramadan month

You don’t have to be a hardcore Intelligence detective to understand the patterns or the motives. Terrorists know for sure that India can easily be divided on communal grounds. Also they have attacked commercial centers like Bangalore and Mumbai. BJP ruled states are targeted more than others. Our Govt. has a standard “videshi Haath” reply. They also blame SIMI for all these terrorist activities.

But I have often wondered…. Why does this happen to us and why don’t we do something about it. Stringent laws like TADA and POTA are abolished without suitable substitutes. Is it easy to get away after committing a crime in India. When US found that Al Quaida was responsible, they ensured that the country that apparently protected them was bought to dust.

But then we do not do anything about it. We blame politicians for inactions, Politicians blame foreign Terrorists. Basically we are a weak nation… A weak nation in its very foundation. Our foundation is based on “Non Violence” and showing the other side of face when someone has slapped on one side. Dirty politics by Nehru Gandhi then and incorrect foundations are prime reason for we becoming a nation of cowards. Total inaction on part of our politicians is blood of today’s politicians. Otherwise how do u explain that our Home minister still does not think that we introduce stern laws. I know our blood does not boil when we read the above list. We got our freedom the same way…. Didn’t we …. The so called non violent way.

Films like “A Wednesday” in the recent past have depicted the that frustration is growing among common people like me and you. Its hi time that our internal defense system and intelligence do something about it.

These days I live in UAE, where hands are cut for stealing, where eyes are taken off for staring at women. I haven’t heard of a bomb blast in this country.

Strong laws and stringent implementation are badly required. Democracy in current form has made us ineffective against terrorism of this kind. Agression is the order of the day and we need to do something about it ASAP.

Till then, we should continue to live with fear…. A fear that when our loved ones leave our homes…. May be they wont return…. Because we and our Govt are a bunch of cowards.