March 08, 2009
Back in December 2008, former Pakistan cricket captain-turned-politician Imran Khan had come out and condemned the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) for cancelling India’s tour to Pakistan. Khan had said that no terrorist would dare attack cricketers. In fact, his exact words were, “No one would ever dare attack a visiting cricketer because cricket is so loved in Pakistan. The entire nation would turn against the perpetrators.”
But the attack on the bus ferrying the Sri Lankan team to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore puts that notion to rest. And to his credit, Khan has come out and said that he was wrong in thinking along those lines, as has now been proven. The bigger question is, however, how do these attacks alter the fate of cricket and other sports in the subcontinent?
India is not a stranger to such activities. Sri Lanka has had its own set of problems to deal with for almost three decades now. And the recent situation in Bangladesh has not been too rosy. According to former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani, things will not be the same for the next couple of years. “Visiting countries will think more than twice before touring the subcontinent, especially Pakistan.” Most experts believe that we can forget about any cricketing action in Pakistan in the near future.
Sri Lanka were the first team in the last 14 months to tour Pakistan. It was Australia who took the initiative, cancelling their tour in March 2008. Then, India refused to play there in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. The Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to happen later this year in Pakistan, has already been postponed, while New Zealand, who were supposed to tour, have cancelled.
Another former cricketer Chetan Chauhan is of the opinion that not only cricket but other sports, too, stand to suffer. “No one would want to put their lives at risk at the cost of sport. It’s not bigger than your life.”
It’s not only Pakistan which stands to suffer. Severe doubts were raised over the second edition of the Indian Premier League as well, although the doubts were mainly due to the tournament clashing with general elections. It still remains to be seen how the organisers manage to juggle the IPL schedule. Even if those hassles are overcome, there is the question of how many foreign players will turn up. “I think a majority of them will come to play in the IPL,” says a confident Kirmani.
Australian cricketers like Brett Lee, Michael Hussey and Nathan Bracken have already stated that the terror attacks won’t deter them from playing in the IPL. But the likes of Daniel Vettori and a few English players have expressed reservations about playing.
Then there is the question of hosting the 2011 cricket World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the four countries. Chauhan says that things should be better in the next couple of years in terms of security, but he still thinks that Pakistan hosting the tournament is extremely unlikely. The ICC has refused to be drawn on the World Cup issue, saying it’s way too early to talk.
India, of course, is a powerhouse in the cricketing world, and in the past we have seen foreign teams touring despite the fear of terror attacks. The subcontinent generates about 70 per cent of the ICC’s revenue and spectator interest is also unmatched.
“There is huge money riding on cricket in the subcontinent, especially India. So, I don’t see too many tours being cancelled in India,” says a former BCCI official.
There has been talk about Pakistan playing countries at a neutral venue, something which it has done in the past as well. “Cricket won’t be the same in Pakistan and I think in the subcontinent as well,” says Kirmani. Teams have been sceptical about touring Sri Lanka as well, and these attacks will cast even more doubt in their minds, says Kirmani.
In the past, we have seen the subcontinent survive terror onslaughts, and cricket has carried on. But this time it’s different. This time, cricket has been directly targetted. It remains to be seen how the sport does emerge from this onslaught.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Rogue Pakistan's biggest victim is India
March 07, 2009
The attack on the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team is brutal and reprehensible. It is just the latest. That Pakistan has become a sanctuary and safe haven for all kinds of sundry terrorist groups has become quite clear by now to all sensible people. What is of utmost priority at this moment is to protect not just cricket, but entire South Asia, including Pakistan.
Sadly, the central discourse after the attack was on whether Pakistan is safe for cricket in future. There were 'concerns' over the future of the World Cup to be held in 2011.
The issue is not just about cricket, it is a pure and simple case of terrorism; the degeneration of Pakistan into a rogue State. However much the 'candle-lightwalahs' may resent it, Pakistan must be shunned completely until it cleanses its entire system and purges the last terrorist from its soil.
Ignorant politicians declared that the last time sportsmen were attacked was during the Munich Olympics in 1972. They forget that only a few years ago there was a suicide bomb attack outside the hotel in Islamabad [Images] in which the New Zealand cricketers were staying. Although the cricketers escaped unhurt, scores died in that attack. In fact it was in that climate of terror that the tour of the Indian cricket team to Pakistan had to be deferred by several months by the then National Democratic Alliance government.
While the details about the perpetrators of this attack will only be known after the investigations, one thing is clear: the terrorists wanted to send a message out to the world that they are in control in Pakistan. The nexus between the Pakistan-based terrorist groups like the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka dates back to early 1990s, when they were exchanging weapons for narcotics.
The Sri Lanka government's determined efforts to crush the LTTE can be a sufficient reason for the attack on the Sri Lankan team as these outfits thrive on each other's support, especially since the LTTE was a major source of funding through the narco-trail for the jihadi groups.
In fact with a non-functional government at the helm in Pakistan, in order for the truth behind this attack to come out, the Sri Lankan government must demand direct participation in the probe.
The LTTE had close links with many South Asian terror groups. Those Indian politicians who go all out to please pro-LTTE groups in India must not forget that it was the same LTTE which was equipping Indian terror outfits like the Maoists and the United Liberation Front of Asom.
India had responded appropriately by calling for dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan. It needs to be proactive in isolating and pressuring Pakistan because the biggest victim of a 'rogue Pakistan' will be India.
The Western powers are always driven by their own self-interest rather than any serious concern for curbing terror. We hear theories emanating from Western 'experts' that the Taliban [Images]isation of Pakistan is a local phenomenon and should be left to the local forces to tackle. In fact the Swat agreement was sought to be justified with the same argument. In other words, what the West wants is a gentleman's agreement with the Taliban -- 'You take South Asia; but don't come to Europe and America'.
It is time all the countries in the South Asian region -- especially democracies like India and Sri Lanka -- came together to exert pressure on Pakistan to end terrorism.
Ram Madhav
The attack on the bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team is brutal and reprehensible. It is just the latest. That Pakistan has become a sanctuary and safe haven for all kinds of sundry terrorist groups has become quite clear by now to all sensible people. What is of utmost priority at this moment is to protect not just cricket, but entire South Asia, including Pakistan.
Sadly, the central discourse after the attack was on whether Pakistan is safe for cricket in future. There were 'concerns' over the future of the World Cup to be held in 2011.
The issue is not just about cricket, it is a pure and simple case of terrorism; the degeneration of Pakistan into a rogue State. However much the 'candle-lightwalahs' may resent it, Pakistan must be shunned completely until it cleanses its entire system and purges the last terrorist from its soil.
Ignorant politicians declared that the last time sportsmen were attacked was during the Munich Olympics in 1972. They forget that only a few years ago there was a suicide bomb attack outside the hotel in Islamabad [Images] in which the New Zealand cricketers were staying. Although the cricketers escaped unhurt, scores died in that attack. In fact it was in that climate of terror that the tour of the Indian cricket team to Pakistan had to be deferred by several months by the then National Democratic Alliance government.
While the details about the perpetrators of this attack will only be known after the investigations, one thing is clear: the terrorists wanted to send a message out to the world that they are in control in Pakistan. The nexus between the Pakistan-based terrorist groups like the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka dates back to early 1990s, when they were exchanging weapons for narcotics.
The Sri Lanka government's determined efforts to crush the LTTE can be a sufficient reason for the attack on the Sri Lankan team as these outfits thrive on each other's support, especially since the LTTE was a major source of funding through the narco-trail for the jihadi groups.
In fact with a non-functional government at the helm in Pakistan, in order for the truth behind this attack to come out, the Sri Lankan government must demand direct participation in the probe.
The LTTE had close links with many South Asian terror groups. Those Indian politicians who go all out to please pro-LTTE groups in India must not forget that it was the same LTTE which was equipping Indian terror outfits like the Maoists and the United Liberation Front of Asom.
India had responded appropriately by calling for dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan. It needs to be proactive in isolating and pressuring Pakistan because the biggest victim of a 'rogue Pakistan' will be India.
The Western powers are always driven by their own self-interest rather than any serious concern for curbing terror. We hear theories emanating from Western 'experts' that the Taliban [Images]isation of Pakistan is a local phenomenon and should be left to the local forces to tackle. In fact the Swat agreement was sought to be justified with the same argument. In other words, what the West wants is a gentleman's agreement with the Taliban -- 'You take South Asia; but don't come to Europe and America'.
It is time all the countries in the South Asian region -- especially democracies like India and Sri Lanka -- came together to exert pressure on Pakistan to end terrorism.
Ram Madhav
CPI-M dismisses suspended Kerala MP
Kannur: A.P. Abdulla Kutty, a Kerala MP who was suspended from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) after praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, was Saturday sacked from the party.
Kannur district party secretary P. Sasi said in a statement that Kutty had been dismissed because he continued to violate party discipline even during his suspension period.
Kutty, 41, a Lok Sabha member from Kannur for two terms, expressed disappointment over the party decision.
'The party was like a father to me. A few leaders in the party are responsible for what has happened to me. I did not get any consideration from the party despite being a member from a minority community,' he told reporters.
Kutty was suspended Jan 17 because he hailed Modi's development initiatives in an interview to a leading Malayalam TV channel. Kutty later clarified that he did not approve of Modi's 'communal politics'.
Addressing reporters here Friday, he again lashed out at the CPI-M, saying the Congress was always considerate to young MPs, but not his party.
A devout Muslim, Kutty is known to be a strong supporter of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
Actor Balachandra Menon may contest elections
Thiruvananthapuram:National Award winner and veteran Malayalam actor Balachandra Menon Saturday said he planned to contest the Lok Sabha election as an independent from Thiruvananthapuram.
'One thing is certain. The offer is not from the United Democratic Front or Left Democratic Front, so obviously it should be from the National Democratic Alliance. The offer has been there for some time,' Menon told
Menon, 55, is an accomplished director, actor, script writer, lyricist and producer. He won the National Award for best actor in 1998 for 'Samantharangal'.
In 2006, Menon was seen in 'Classmates', which was the highest Malayalam grosser of that year.
'As I am a film personality, I feel it would be best to be an independent candidate. Thus if I decide to contest it won't be under the symbol of any political party,' said Menon.
'One thing is certain. The offer is not from the United Democratic Front or Left Democratic Front, so obviously it should be from the National Democratic Alliance. The offer has been there for some time,' Menon told
Menon, 55, is an accomplished director, actor, script writer, lyricist and producer. He won the National Award for best actor in 1998 for 'Samantharangal'.
In 2006, Menon was seen in 'Classmates', which was the highest Malayalam grosser of that year.
'As I am a film personality, I feel it would be best to be an independent candidate. Thus if I decide to contest it won't be under the symbol of any political party,' said Menon.
Kerala police shielding culprits-CISF Chief
New Delhi: The C I S F chief has alleged that the Kerala police is trying to protect people accused of assaulting C I S F personnel in Thiruvananthapuram airport last month. C I S F director general N R Das made this allegation in a press conference here.
Das alleged that the state police charged the accused with petty offences and tried to shield the offenders and help them get away easily. The state government was forced to approach the incidence seriously and suspend concerned policemen only after strong pressure following report from the CISF officials at the airport.
Last month two drunken passengers –one Madothil Raghu from Kollam and an Ahamed Muhammed Jalack, an Egyptian émigré from Britain –molested fellow passengers and beat up a C I S F inspector and an assistant sub-inspector when tried to intervene. During the whole incident both of them were shouting that they were close the son of a minister. While Raghu and Jalack were overpowered by C I S F officers someone secretly took three persons accompanying them away. Raghu and Jalack were handed to Valiyathura police. They were charged with drunken behavior and attempted assault –petty charges for serious offence.
Das alleged that the state police charged the accused with petty offences and tried to shield the offenders and help them get away easily. The state government was forced to approach the incidence seriously and suspend concerned policemen only after strong pressure following report from the CISF officials at the airport.
Last month two drunken passengers –one Madothil Raghu from Kollam and an Ahamed Muhammed Jalack, an Egyptian émigré from Britain –molested fellow passengers and beat up a C I S F inspector and an assistant sub-inspector when tried to intervene. During the whole incident both of them were shouting that they were close the son of a minister. While Raghu and Jalack were overpowered by C I S F officers someone secretly took three persons accompanying them away. Raghu and Jalack were handed to Valiyathura police. They were charged with drunken behavior and attempted assault –petty charges for serious offence.
Kerala MP says he is technically out of CPI-M
March 6,2009
Kannur , Mar 6 Suspended CPI-M MP, A P Abdulla Kutty, who incurred the wrath of party leadership for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, today said he"technically ceased"to be a party member and could decide the future step on his own.
"I technically cease to be a member of the CPI-M as I did not renew my membership after the party asked me to do so on a short notice on February 28,"he told a press conference here.
Kutty, who was suspended from the party in January, expressed dismay at being asked to renew his membership by a lower branch committee and described it as an"insult"to the party constitution and himself as an MP.
"I could have got justice had I appealed to the party Control Commission but I decided against it, Kutty, who had lauded Modi&aposs development model in Gujarat, said.
Stating that he was free to decide his future course of action, the MP evaded repeated queries on whether any United Democratic Front constituent had offered the Kannur Lok Sabha seat, which he had won twice.
He said no MP could work effectively without the party&aposs support and the moves by the local CPI-M leadership to keep him away from the recent party-sponsored programmes were"most unfortunate and painful.
Kannur , Mar 6 Suspended CPI-M MP, A P Abdulla Kutty, who incurred the wrath of party leadership for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, today said he"technically ceased"to be a party member and could decide the future step on his own.
"I technically cease to be a member of the CPI-M as I did not renew my membership after the party asked me to do so on a short notice on February 28,"he told a press conference here.
Kutty, who was suspended from the party in January, expressed dismay at being asked to renew his membership by a lower branch committee and described it as an"insult"to the party constitution and himself as an MP.
"I could have got justice had I appealed to the party Control Commission but I decided against it, Kutty, who had lauded Modi&aposs development model in Gujarat, said.
Stating that he was free to decide his future course of action, the MP evaded repeated queries on whether any United Democratic Front constituent had offered the Kannur Lok Sabha seat, which he had won twice.
He said no MP could work effectively without the party&aposs support and the moves by the local CPI-M leadership to keep him away from the recent party-sponsored programmes were"most unfortunate and painful.
I have no recognition in CPM: Abdulla kutty M.P
Kannur, Saturday 07 March 2009: Kannur MP A.P. Abdullakutty, who has been placed under suspension from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has said that some party leaders in the district are against his continuation in the party.
Speaking at a press conference convened here, explain his achievements as Kannur’s Member of Parliament during the past 10 years, Mr. Abdullakutty said, in response to a question whether he was having his final break with the CPI(M), that he had not chosen to renew his party membership after he was suspended from the party area committee.
“Now I am outside the party. Though I can approach the party Control Commission against the suspension, I will not. The issue is that I have no recognition within the party. If you are not respected in the party, not even a village officer is going to respect you as an MP,” he said.
Abdullakutty said the CPM should consider inviting MPs and MLAs to party forums to ensure that there was more understanding between the leadership and legislators on various issues concerning their respective constituencies. Congress MPs and MLAs were always invitees in their party committee meetings. The MP urged the State government to provide office facilities for MPs in collectorates or taluk officers in their respective constituencies.
“Many people were reluctant to come to the party office. It may be because politics is almost like a caste system in Kannur,” he said adding that if possible the government should provide a clerk to assist the MP.
Speaking at a press conference convened here, explain his achievements as Kannur’s Member of Parliament during the past 10 years, Mr. Abdullakutty said, in response to a question whether he was having his final break with the CPI(M), that he had not chosen to renew his party membership after he was suspended from the party area committee.
“Now I am outside the party. Though I can approach the party Control Commission against the suspension, I will not. The issue is that I have no recognition within the party. If you are not respected in the party, not even a village officer is going to respect you as an MP,” he said.
Abdullakutty said the CPM should consider inviting MPs and MLAs to party forums to ensure that there was more understanding between the leadership and legislators on various issues concerning their respective constituencies. Congress MPs and MLAs were always invitees in their party committee meetings. The MP urged the State government to provide office facilities for MPs in collectorates or taluk officers in their respective constituencies.
“Many people were reluctant to come to the party office. It may be because politics is almost like a caste system in Kannur,” he said adding that if possible the government should provide a clerk to assist the MP.
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