This is not cricket!
09 Nov 2009 Col R. M. Anand: The controversy regarding Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) refusing to send their team to play at Srinagar has been prolonged and fueled by the father and son team of Farooq and Omar Abdullah and being politicised by the BCCI. Getting into controversies is normal for BCCI, but this is the first time a Services Team has been dragged into it. Sadly, the Omar-Farooq duo have ignored security and given the sporting event a political colour.
From a political angle, refusing to send the Services Team to Srinagar was incorrect since it sent wrong signals. It conveys that the Law and Order situation in Kashmir is so bad that even the Services Team does not want to play in Srinagar. It gives Pakistan excellent propaganda material as it indicates the failure of J&K State Government. Omar Abdullah is livid and so is his Dad, who being the President of J&K Cricket Association also sees this as a slap in his face!
Now let us consider the Security aspects. One expects Messers Omar & Farooq Abdullah to know 'something' about security-but the Armed Forces understand it fully, as it is their bread and butter. While Mr Omar Abdullah has been Chief Minister for about an year, the Armed Forces have been in Kashmir for 62 years. They understand security best and have well established intelligence network. SSCB must have analysed all security aspects before arriving at their decision. Several factors could be weighing on their minds.
Firstly, at present the atmosphere in Srinagar is unfavourable to the Services. There have been several demonstrations against alleged atrocities by Security forces, most of which proved false and frivolous. Least of the dangers may be taunting, booing and heckling of Services Team, with even bottles, shoes and other objects being thrown at them. Secondly, the mob could enter the field and attack the Services team, which would be defenceless. Past record of J&K Govt in controlling crowds is poor. Even when curfew was imposed, large crowds were allowed to assemble and take out processions, shouting anti-national slogans. Curfew, though ordered, was not enforced. Then there was a well founded threat perception of terrorists sneaking into the stadium with the crowd and attacking the Services Team-an unarmed, soft target. That would give them worldwide publicity, as in the case of attack on Sri Lanka team. "Would the ISI miss such a golden opportunity?" Pakistani propaganda machine would have claimed that the attackers were not their people but local Kashmiris expressing their resentment against." oppression by Indian Armed Forces".
A few days earlier,the PM had himself said that there was a danger of another 26/11 type attack. This was also stressed by Army Chief. It must have been based on strong intelligence inputs. Even the FBI had uncovered plot of 5 terrorist attacks on India.
Now let us examine the actions of BCCI. Firstly,under the prevailing conditions,it was wrong on their part to plan the match of Services Team against local Kashmiri Team at Srinagar. Why could they not keep the match at Srinagar with some other team? Was BCCI afraid that other State teams may refuse to play in Srinagar? In that case would BCCI have had the guts to disqualify that team? And then would Mr Farooq Abdullah spit venom at that team or beg the CM of that State to please, please make his team play? While disagreeing to play at Srinagar, SSCB must have suggested safer venues like Jammu or Udhampur. Why did the BCCI not agree to this valid suggestion? Was it due to political pressure of Omar-Farooq duo?
Under political pressure when SSCB was "forced" to apologise to BCCI, Mr Farooq Abdullah loudly proclaimed that he does not accept the apology and wanted to "tear them apart". In his frenzy, Mr Farooq Abdullah made another statement which has grave implications. I quote, "Services is saying Kashmir is not normal. To hell with them. They want us to burn all the time so that they can remain our masters". Is he implying that the "Indian government" is ruling over Kashmir and treating them as slaves with the help of its Armed Forces? Prime Minister and Home Minister have remained silent on this grave, provocative statement.
SSCB is an apolitical body. It is responsible for the life and safety of its players and cannot endanger it to satisfy the whims of two politicians.
From a political angle, refusing to send the Services Team to Srinagar was incorrect since it sent wrong signals. It conveys that the Law and Order situation in Kashmir is so bad that even the Services Team does not want to play in Srinagar. It gives Pakistan excellent propaganda material as it indicates the failure of J&K State Government. Omar Abdullah is livid and so is his Dad, who being the President of J&K Cricket Association also sees this as a slap in his face!
Now let us consider the Security aspects. One expects Messers Omar & Farooq Abdullah to know 'something' about security-but the Armed Forces understand it fully, as it is their bread and butter. While Mr Omar Abdullah has been Chief Minister for about an year, the Armed Forces have been in Kashmir for 62 years. They understand security best and have well established intelligence network. SSCB must have analysed all security aspects before arriving at their decision. Several factors could be weighing on their minds.
Firstly, at present the atmosphere in Srinagar is unfavourable to the Services. There have been several demonstrations against alleged atrocities by Security forces, most of which proved false and frivolous. Least of the dangers may be taunting, booing and heckling of Services Team, with even bottles, shoes and other objects being thrown at them. Secondly, the mob could enter the field and attack the Services team, which would be defenceless. Past record of J&K Govt in controlling crowds is poor. Even when curfew was imposed, large crowds were allowed to assemble and take out processions, shouting anti-national slogans. Curfew, though ordered, was not enforced. Then there was a well founded threat perception of terrorists sneaking into the stadium with the crowd and attacking the Services Team-an unarmed, soft target. That would give them worldwide publicity, as in the case of attack on Sri Lanka team. "Would the ISI miss such a golden opportunity?" Pakistani propaganda machine would have claimed that the attackers were not their people but local Kashmiris expressing their resentment against." oppression by Indian Armed Forces".
A few days earlier,the PM had himself said that there was a danger of another 26/11 type attack. This was also stressed by Army Chief. It must have been based on strong intelligence inputs. Even the FBI had uncovered plot of 5 terrorist attacks on India.
Now let us examine the actions of BCCI. Firstly,under the prevailing conditions,it was wrong on their part to plan the match of Services Team against local Kashmiri Team at Srinagar. Why could they not keep the match at Srinagar with some other team? Was BCCI afraid that other State teams may refuse to play in Srinagar? In that case would BCCI have had the guts to disqualify that team? And then would Mr Farooq Abdullah spit venom at that team or beg the CM of that State to please, please make his team play? While disagreeing to play at Srinagar, SSCB must have suggested safer venues like Jammu or Udhampur. Why did the BCCI not agree to this valid suggestion? Was it due to political pressure of Omar-Farooq duo?
Under political pressure when SSCB was "forced" to apologise to BCCI, Mr Farooq Abdullah loudly proclaimed that he does not accept the apology and wanted to "tear them apart". In his frenzy, Mr Farooq Abdullah made another statement which has grave implications. I quote, "Services is saying Kashmir is not normal. To hell with them. They want us to burn all the time so that they can remain our masters". Is he implying that the "Indian government" is ruling over Kashmir and treating them as slaves with the help of its Armed Forces? Prime Minister and Home Minister have remained silent on this grave, provocative statement.
SSCB is an apolitical body. It is responsible for the life and safety of its players and cannot endanger it to satisfy the whims of two politicians.
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