Let us not treat our cricketers differently

Did terrorists mix politics with cricket in their recent attack on Sri Lankan cricketers? Did they shatter the faith of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad ( and his daughter’s father-in-law ) and many other Afridi like Bhais who always advocated for not mixing politics with cricket? I remember Imran Khan assuring the cricket world ( on behalf of the terrorists!!! ) that cricketers will never be attacked in Pakistan. Javed Miandad has asked for ban on match referee Chris Broad (and not the terrorists!!! ) for his irresponsible statements that might 'Damage' the 'Image' of Pakistan (Mail Today, 7th March 2009 page 42). Rmeez Raza has claimed that Broad's comments have hurt Pakistan cricket. And Tauqir Zia (former chairman, PCB) has urged not to welcome Broad for any cricketing assignment in Pakistan (Mail Today). (I sincerely hope, the terrorists who attacked the cricketers were not on some such welcome assignment).

I am convinced terrorists have done nothing unexpected. In fact these Shiv Sena-Bajrang Dal-BJP-RSS combine have always tried to mix politics with cricket. They always try to spoil Pakistan-India cricket encounter by mixing politics with cricket. Unfortunately this time even UPA is doing what they always opposed when NDA was in power. Our government is not allowing our cricketers to tour Pakistan. For God’s sake ask them to leave sports in their scheme of politics. Cricket should continue irrespective of these incidences and we should be able to show them that we can produce more cricketers than they can kill. After all we have exhibited the same skill in case of other citizens so why play politics with our innocent cricketers? When terrorists do not differentiate between cricketers and the other citizens then why should we differentiate?

And just to add onto this, when musicians and singers from Pakistan come to India the same notorious set of groups oppose them and in turn mix politics with music too. On the other hand just notice how Pakistan never allows our musicians and singers to mix politics with music at their place.