Such Strange Bedfellows, These

India has a bigger ambition than a cricket series with a neighbour. So let us consider the proposed bilateral series to be a wide ball and focus on the boundaries we have the potential to achieve

The Government’s decision to jettison the idea of an India-Pakistan cricket series comes at a time when the bilateral relations between the two countries are frosty and strained. Some may call it a radical decision, but the Government has successfully managed to convey a stern message to our neighbour. National security imperatives are priority and till the time Pakistan does not contain anti-India activities, bi-lateral relations in all spheres will be limited.

WhenUnion Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel emphatically rejected the idea of a series, social media exploded with the usual hackneyed arguments. Those who are strong proponents of a bi-lateral series between the arch rivals continue to pursue the same line of reasoning. In their opinion, art, sports and culture must surmount the tenuous contours of hate politics. So our brave soldiers could be relentlessly fighting a proxy war in Kashmir while our so-called peace-loving people quaff glasses of wine ruminating over a painting in New Delhi’s elaborate and swanky art galleries. The idea does not sound fair.

For the sake of brevity, let me take sports as an example. Sports has been used as a tool to defuse tense international situations in the past but what does one do with a country like Pakistan which refuses to shut down jihadi units operating on its soil? Promoting cricket ties between the two countries will not engender pro-India sentiments in the hearts and minds of these ruthless individuals who have been indoctrinated into believing that India is the Satan; that its destruction is the only way out of the self-inflicted damage; and that in a civilised and integrated society, hurling grenades is preferred to a meaningful discourse.

Sports and politics are deeply connected. History is witness to the truth that politics and sports are not independent of each other. They are, in fact, inextricably linked and have been used to promote agendas and shape opinions in the past. The most prominent example which comes to mind is the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Hitler was never an ardent follower of sports nor did he subscribe to the idea of cooperation between countries in Western Europe. We know that. But he used the Berlin Olympics to showcase the purported superiority of Aaryan athletes. Jewish athletes were systematically barred from participating in the Olympics. The message sent out was explicitly clear. Hitler subscribed to the idea of innate racial differences and firmly rejected the idea of inclusion.

History is replete with examples where sports and politics have connected at multiple levels. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, many Western nations led by the United States (US) had firm reservations. Their remonstrance was evident when the US and its allies decided to boycott the Olympics. On expected lines, the Soviet Bloc boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Sports do reinforce political messages and it would be very naïve to assume that we must view the two from a different spectrum.

South Africa has endured its dark period. The inhuman treatment meted out to its colored population was despicable and disconcerting. So what finally compelled the apartheid regime to change their policies? By the 1980’s, the African nation had been ostracised. Almost all sports bodies had reservations regarding the country’s membership and a fair majority boycotted the country. Many argue that the worldwide sporting boycott of South Africa played an instrumental role in changing of its policy stance.

That sporting figures are very powerful figures today is an indisputable fact. Their action, mannerisms, personal perspectives and political views have the capacity to mold public opinion. The effect may be subtle but it is potent in the long-run. Why is it that movies like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Azhar and Sachin: A Billion Dreams have captivated the audience? Because these are prominent, respected and influential personalities that have the capacity to impact public opinion. This is why Muhammad Ali’s opposition to US President Donald Trump’s statement about banning people adhering to Islam from entering the US had an impact. Sporting personalities can be persuasive because of their stature.

Our mighty Army is not the only institution in the world which is condemning Pakistan. Very recently, Iran also sent a strongly worded message to Pakistan. Iranian military officials called it their “inalienable and legal right” to take preemptive measures to secure their territory around the porous border with Pakistan. Afghanistan continues to face the wrath of Pakistan’s heinous stratagem. The gory attacks in Kabul and Jalabad are a testament to the rampant culture of state-sponsored and aided terrorism. 

A recent terror report released in the US emphasised the obvious — Pakistan has failed miserably in arresting the culture of terror. A failure on Pakistan’s part to restrain such elements is going to have an impact on the strategic interests of contiguous countries and will have a cascading effect worldwide. With such dubious credibility, it is no surprise that the International Court of Justice ruled in our favour. What a double whammy!

So in search of cricket policy, the Government has led the way and reinforced a very harsh message; a message which has been repeatedly relayed to Pakistan not only by India, but the world at large. Post the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan (2009), the country has not hosted international teams. The Pakistan Cricket Board has claimed damages and is threatening to sue the Board of Control for Cricket in India because the latter had agreed to conduct five bi-lateral series between 2015-2023. It’s portfolio is bleeding and in desperate need for change. Maybe it is time for them to introspect and channel their grievances elsewhere; perhaps their own Government for a start. Because as a country you cannot host other teams and it is only a matter of time before other countries prohibit your team from participating.

Our overworked Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked tirelessly to nurture healthy bilateral ties; right from the day of his inauguration, which was attended by Nawaz Sharif to his surprise stopover in Lahore in December 2015. It was during an eloquent speech in 2007 when former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh fervently articulated his dream of eating breakfast in Amritsar; lunch in Lahore and dinner in Kabul. Prime Minister Modi may not have gotten the order right but he did achieve what Singh fancied. Working tirelessly for a lost cause is unwise and imprudent. The Prime Minister set his mind on larger goals during his current trip to Europe. As a country, we certainly do have bigger ambition than a cricket series with a neighbour who will always despise our way of life. So let us consider the proposed bi-lateral series to be a wide ball and focus on the boundaries we have the potential to achieve.

(The writer is a socio-political commentator)

First Published in The Pioneer