Time to debar India-Pak matches till religious toxicity subsides

Till sometime back, India and Pakistan matches used to be a cricketing extravaganza and a celebratory event that would keep fans & followers of the game riveted to their TV screens. One would have expected recent T20 clash in the World Cup 2021 to be taken in same spirit but unfortunately, the environment turned highly toxic and venomous driven by religious bigotry & extremism. Social media which till now served as platform for friendly banter, was spewing out hatred and abhorrence for the other side.

The poisonous environment, toxic anonymity of social media and religion-driven hatred… all prompted by one India-Pakistan league match is indeed a huge price to pay. Such situations rightly call for an end to high-voltage clash, so that cricketing pleasure doesn’t give lead to communal tinderbox.
The two Asian neighbours are nuclear powers and currently invested in developing fifth generation warfare. A cricket match must not serve as a platform for escalating animosity and hostility between the two. For India & Pakistan in particular, cricket impacts the psyche of citizens as well as those in high offices.

During drinks break in the T20 encounter, Pakistan’s opening batsman chose to offer prayers on the field and cameras ensured that it becomes a big talking point. Former Pak cricket Waqar Younis was quick to give it political spin by saying, “Rizwan offered namaz in the face of Hindus.” Later, he apologised but the damage was done and message conveyed.

Though Pakistan has moved away from maulvi-style beard waving cricketers and some agenda-driven cricketers who wouldn’t shy away from propagating their religion, this incident has brought the focus on fresh ‘radicalisation’ in the team.

Pakistan political class didn’t bother to calm down nerves but rather added fuel to fire. Pakistan PM Imran Khan bragged that this was not the right time to hold talks with India, an apparent jibe at latter’s loss in cricket. On the other hand, Pakistan Home Minister Sheikh Rashid called it a victory of Islam over Kaafir and even said that Muslims including those in India were overjoyed at the victory.

Though there was no such incendiary comment from Indian cricketers or politicians, the social media definitely turned into a poisonous platform with many cursing their heart out. Some rogue fans posted celebratory messages & status, followed by action by relevant authorities. But, things turned ugly when people started bashing Mohammed Shami and holding him guilty for the loss. When Virat Kohli rallied behind him and called out the bigots, he himself became the target of vitriolic trolls. Some sought to downplay this horrifying hate campaign by attributing it to Pakistani trolls but sacking of Rajasthan teacher and rounding up of many Pakistani supporters showed that these elements were very much residing in the Indian territory.

The brazen display of differences over religion played out on the social media, threatening to ‘pollute’ the impressionable minds. To call it a Pakistani plot and denying the obvious is not an answer. If an India-Pak match brings out such negative discourse, it’s better to keep Pakistan miles away and proceed without such ‘poisonous game’.

Pakistan continues to export terror in Jammu & Kashmir and harbours an inherent desire to spoil India’s communal harmony and peace. Targeted killing of a particular community in Kashmir valley is a testament of this nefarious strategy.

Therefore, when the environment becomes vitiated and slanted ideology takes over national discourse, when social media starts spewing hate and hatred, it’s better to cool off and not allow religious extremists or perverts to take over. Until the politics and religion take a backseat, it’s good to give sport a break rather than allowing it to become a handle of extremism. After all, when ideologies take over front seat, the sport ceases to be a sport.