Attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team: India Alarmed

Another black day in history of international cricket! When a few teams including Australia and India denied playing in terrorized state of Pakistan, Sri Lankan cricket team showed courage and stepped into the scenario and gestured with accepting a full-fledged tour of Pakistan. The tour was going on fine, until the third day of the second test match that was taking place in Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. The Sri Lankan team was heading towards the venue when a group of up to a dozen terrorist stormed in and bombarded their bus with rockets and grenades. They also shot from their automatic weapons which injured half a dozen Sri Lankan players and killed same number of security personnel and a couple of innocent citizens who were trapped in the firing. Horror struck the whole cricketing fraternity. A shameful act, that could have happened only in Pakistan – a country with a lost hope now.

The India and New Zealand cricketers wore a black band during their ODI match, held in New Zealand. The whole cricketing fraternity was stunned by this disgraceful act and the lack of responsibility shown by the Pakistan government. There were opinions and comments flying in from ex-cricketers and common public from all around the world in protest. The Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakkara, Tharanga Paranavithana and Ajantha Mendis suffered injuries and were attended duly. However, the tour was immediately called off and the players are returning home soon.

Everyone is in depression and is not seeing anything positive as far as Pakistan is concerned. I am not sure what stance the ICC or BCCI, for that matter would take in this regard, but it seems that there will be no cricket played in Pakistan in the next 4 to 5 years at least. It is time some strong steps are taken and some harsh decisions are made to ensure this type of incident does not occur in the future.

However, the big bang comes in from Pakistan, in which a Pakistani minister, Sardar Nabil Ahmed Gaboi (Minister of State for Shipping) states that the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team was done by terrorists from India, who has crossed over the Indo-Pak border and attacked the Sri Lankan team to defame Pakistan internationally! How ridiculous is this, now? A minister of state who holds high position and much higher responsibility is saying something like this. This not only shows how irresponsible the Pakistani government is, but also is a clear gesture to prove the support these terrorist groups are getting from Pakistan. India is trying to aid Sri Lanka to fight LTTE terrorists in Jaffna and Northern territories of Sri Lanka to give them a better future; and these rascals are talking shameful about India herself! Even there is a segment in India and Sri Lanka which feels that India should not be any part of the steps taken against the LTTE there in Sri Lanka – they do not support India’s humanitarian act for peace.

This is not the only case where India was sent down recently. The recent violence in Bangladesh that saw the BDR taking to arms against the Government and the Army was mentioned to be an act by Indian bureaucrats. A few people did not feel ashamed to even mention it as a conspiracy by India to ignite violence in Bangladesh! Bangladesh, a country which was torn apart from undivided India, got its existence, recognition and language because of India – Indian brotherly behavior from time immemorial. They forgot everything – and why would not they? Indian never tried to influence Bangladesh or its politics in any manner whatsoever. India fought for Bangladesh’s cause and lost brave sons of the soil and just left Bangladesh with their own dirty thoughts and mischievous lives! Well, that was a gesture renowned and appreciated from all groups across the world, but what has that given in return? Conspiracy against India? Home for the black listed ULFA, SULFA, ATTF and NLFT terrorists? Free route to India for Talibani terrorists? What else and what not!

It is alarming! The three neighboring states are at cross with India. And she is going on showing compassion and brotherly gestures – and looking into the recent signals that has come from the Indian government, I doubt this is going to stop in recent times. It is high time to stop and take the bull by its horns. There is no other way out. India has already seen Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Bangalore, Agartala, Guwahati, Delhi and Mumbai shake in terror. What else is she waiting for now? Isn’t it enough now? Hope the government act soon… The Parliamentary elections are here, almost knocking at the door. I hope the people will choose the right persons now, who can and who will act readily. Or else, we would suffer – for all we are banking right now, is suffering and more suffering – for us, and for our coming generations!

Also Posted in: Portal to the Hindu World