The India-Pakistan clash at Dharamshala is crucial. The Virbhadra Government must not mix politics and sports, but ensure that the event does not give us a bad name
Dear Sir: I hope you are proud of yourself for washing dirty linen in public. I am painfully aware that a raid was conducted on your house on the very same day your daughter was getting married. Indeed that was insensitive and smacked of political vendetta. You are right in being angry and wanting retribution. No one can deny you that.
I do wish, however, that you do not mix sports and politics. You have not made yourself popular with the nation at large by raising the bogey of not providing security to the Pakistani team at the nth hour. The venue of Dharamshala was fixed months in advance. We the citizens of India look bad, very bad for making a statement that the security of foreign nationals cannot be guaranteed during an international sporting event held on our soil.
As a cricket fan and a proud citizen of India, I urge you to put politics and personal grudges aside for a short while. The International Cricket Council T20 World Cup is a world event and India for a little over three weeks will be in the spotlight and become a world stage for top cricketers on this planet.
One of the most anticipated matches in the tournament is the match between old foes India and Pakistan at Dharamshala. The world is watching Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and India, and the world will be judging us. It is up to us what impression we send across. If we fail at this moment, Pakistan will get an opportunity of pointing fingers at us and will be able to generate sympathy internationally.
Hosting the match with dignity is India's, Himachal Pradesh's and your administration's chance to show case to the world that India is a safe and tourist-friendly country. It is our collective responsibility to send this message across. It must be remembered that the match is not a bilateral engagement, but a world event. Acting in any other manner will be detrimental to the economic interest of the entire State of Himachal Pradesh.
For many years, Jammu & Kashmir lost out on revenue because it was perceived as a hostile zone for tourists. It will be sacrilegious if we let Himachal Pradesh get a similar tag. The revenue from tourism can help educate millions of children in the region, alleviate millions out of poverty and also help the State Government aid farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises and the families of martyrs.
We must remember that our actions will impact the image of India for decades to come. If we commit this blasphemy now, we can say goodbye to any chance of ever hosting the Olympics in India in the coming decades.
The entire country appreciates the actions of the martyrs who safeguard our borders and have lost their lives in fighting to keep us safe from our neighbours. Playing against Pakistan in an international tournament is by no means disrespecting the martyrs. Not does it tantamount to condoning their transgressions. We should play and play hard — play to win. In fact you can consider allocating a percentage of the revenue generated from the match for the welfare of the families of the soldiers.
I am certain my sentiments are echoed by many other young Indians. The victory (we are a nation of eternal optimists) should be dedicated to the martyrs and their families. The pain of missing out on this match despite having acquired hard fought tickets is nothing compared to seeing my motherland get a bad name. Please do not let the people of Himachal Pradesh and India down. I sincerely hope, you will not let this one decision tarnish your legacy.
(The writer is a lawyer and a cricket fan)