– Sami Ahmad
Patna: Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and ex-deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi has advocated that the Indian cricket team should visit Pakistan to play Champions Trophy amidst controversy around Indian cricket board BCCI’s decision not to send the Indian team there.
Talking to media persons on Thursday, Tejashwi said, “Khail kood mein rajniti achchi baat nahin” (Politics in sport is not a good thing). He said that it was good if everyone went to play in other countries and the players from other countries came here.
“Sport spirit is a different thing”, said Tejashwi who himself is a sport enthusiast. Before joining politics, he was part of an IPL team. He is currently the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly.
Tejashwi, younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad said those who indulge in politics about sporting activities were not doing the right thing. He said, “We all participate in the Olympics, every country participates in that.” He said, “Wahan yuddh thore hi hota hai” (No war is fought there in the Olympics.) “People just go there to play”, he added.
When he was asked: should Indian team go to Pakistan, he retorted, “Why not?” He asked what was the objection to that. He added that the Indian team used to visit Pakistan.
He quipped, “Pradhan Mantri biryani khane jayen tou achha hai!” (It is good if PM goes to eat biryani there!) He added, “But the Indian team playing cricket there is not good.”
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Pakistan in 2015 and Tejashwi was referring to that visit.
There is a huge controversy over BCCI’s decision not to send the Indian team to Pakistan to participate in the Cricket Champions Trophy. There is a proposal to organise the Champions Trophy in hybrid enabling India to play its matches outside Pakistan. But reportedly, the Pakistan Cricket Board is not ready for that. This puts the event in jeopardy.
