Shiv Sena does it again, says India-Pakistan series to honour Ajmal Kasab

In the past, the party has resorted to all sorts of low tactics like digging the pitch, gate-crashing the Board for Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters and criticising India-Pakistan series publicly.

Shiv Sena, the right-wing regional political outfit in India, has a notorious habit of meddling in affairs related to Indian cricket, especially, when it comes to playing with Pakistan. In the past, the party has resorted to all sorts of low tactics like digging the pitch, gate-crashing the Board for Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters and criticising India-Pakistan series publicly.

In a new low, the party has said that the proposed India-Pakistan series that may be held in Sri Lanka next month, is being organised to honour Ajmal Kasab, the dreaded terrorist who was hanged for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai.

“It seems as if the 26/11 was not a blood-shed and Pakistan had sent its cricket team who made a double century by killing innocent people and 20 policemen. It looks like Sri Lanka has been chosen to award Kasab and his team with medals.” the editorial in Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna said

“The bilateral series is not being played in Pakistan because of the terror threat, and patriots like Shiv Sainiks are not allowing the match in India. But the people in the cricket board don`t have any concerns about the innocent lives of civilians and security personnel being snuffed by the hands of the Pakistani militants,” the editorial further said.

The Pakistan government recently gave a green signal that the series can go on. With teams still fearing to tour Pakistan, the bilateral series between the two neighbours was to be played in a neutral venue, ideally United Arab Emirates (UAE). But Sri Lanka has offered to host the matches as a goodwill gesture. However, the Indian government is yet to give a go-ahead to the much anticipated series.