Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi urged the BCCI to halt cricket ties with Pakistan, calling them against national interest amid border tensions and security concerns.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has urged the cricket board to take a step back from playing Pakistan. “In no case can a sport like cricket be placed above national interest,” he wrote in a letter to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dated August 23.
“You cannot push bilateral cricket when border tension is still going on,” Gogoi wrote. Cricket brings joy, yes. But the mood is different. Soldiers continue to fall. People know it.
He also reminded the BCCI of the government’s position itself. The campaign that pointed the finger of blame at Pakistan for the attack on Pahalgam. No water and blood together, says the Prime Minister. His word – If the Centre says no engagement, cricket cannot be the exception.
The letter comes just two days after the Union sports ministry clarified that India wouldn’t play Pakistan on bilateral terms, not even at neutral venues. Multilateral tournaments stay. Which means that the Asia Cup encounter next month, gets a go ahead. For now.
The politics isn’t far. BJP leaders have been attacking Gogoi and his family for alleged ties with Pakistan. Assam’s BJP government went to the extent of constituting an SIT, which is to submit its report by September 10. Gogoi’s letter, according to the Congress circles, has been read as a warning on national security and a counter to those allegations.
He put in another reminder—Pakistan did not play hockey in India too citing security fears. If they can find their way from that, why cannot India reincarnate cricket in those circumstances.
That was his pitch to the BCCI. No cricket with Pakistan, not now. And nothing more.