Opinion | Aaj ki Baat Feb 20 episode: Rajat Sharma on why BCCI move to request ICC to ban Pakistan from World Cup will be a right step
The Committee of Administrators that runs the BCCI, India's topmost cricket body, has prepared a letter to be sent to International Cricket Council seeking a ban on Pakistan from participating in the forthcoming ICC World Cup tournament, because of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India.
The entire nation is anguished and unhappy after the Pulwama killings, and the BCCI will be taking a right step. People in India now want action against Pakistan in whatsoever form it may be. Already India has imposed 200 per cent import duties on all Pakistani goods leading to a virtual standstill in shipment of goods from Pakistan. Bollywood producers and cine artistes' associations have clamped a blanket ban on participation of Pakistani artistes. And now, BCCI has taken the right step.
India is scheduled to face Pakistan on June 16 in a World Cup tie, but the mood of the nation is completely against Indian cricketers playing with their Pakistani counterparts. Pictures of former Pakistani cricketers have been taken off from the picture galleries in the cricket body offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Nagpur.
The common man in India wants action against Pakistan for harbouring and training terrorists who are carrying out attacks in Kashmir. If Pakistan is allowed to play in the World Cup, India, as per rules, will have to play against the enemy country. If India refuses to play, it will have to cede points and pay a stiff penalty, The BCCI has, therefore, initiated a smart move by demanding exclusion of Pakistan from the World Cup. This is the need of the hour and the BCCI has responded rightly, taking popular sentiments in mind. The common Indian on the street simply does not want to see our cricketers playing with the Pakistanis.
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India’s Number One and the most followed Super Prime Time News Show ‘Aaj Ki Baat – Rajat Sharma Ke Saath’ was launched just before the 2014 General Elections. Since its inception the show is redefining India’s super prime time and is numerically far ahead of its contemporaries.
