Stop play?

Readers stand divided on hosting the IPL following the Lahore terror attacku00a0u00a0u00a0

Post the attack on the Sri Lankan team, Home Minister P Chidambaram hinted at postponing the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL). He said that with Lok Sabha elections around the corner, the home ministry would not be able to provide adequate security cover to international cricketers. This is an irresponsible statement that points at the Indian government's inability to provide security to a few hundred cricket players and officials and secure a few stadiums.u00a0

However, I feel this is deliberate. Political parties do not want elections to be overshadowed by a sport that is more popular than politics.

The IPL must go on.u00a0

After the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Sharad Pawar should drop the idea of hosting the IPL. Despite the security concerns, Pawar has insisted that the IPL should go ahead. Pawar's focus had only been on cricket. Is he the agriculture minister or the sports minister, I wonder?u00a0u00a0u00a0

On one hand, the general elections are fast approaching and on the other hand, the Lahore attack has proved that the Pakistan government is completely incapable of putting an end to terrorism sponsored from its soil.

This is only due to the lack of political will. Pakistan has not only earned a bad name for itself, but also with this attack on international players, the future of cricket in the subcontinent looks bleak. In such dangerous circumstances, it's best to cancel the IPL matches.u00a0u00a0

I fail to understand why everyone is making such a hue and cry about the cancellation of the IPL in these times when terror is looming large over the cricket fraternity. Despite the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers, most news channels were focussing on the IPL. The terror strike in Lahore is almost forgotten.

It's constantly being reported in the media that cricket fans will be disappointed if the IPL is cancelled. It's no big deal if it is. The premier league is nothing but a tamaasha and only makes the wealthy wealthier.u00a0u00a0
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Right now, tackling terror should be our priority so let's not be insensitive. What if Indian players were attacked instead of the Sri Lankans? Would the media still promote the IPL hype? The media should be less sensational.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

The attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers needs to be condemned, but I see no reason why the IPL should be cancelled. Cancelling the league means bowing down to terrorism.

Moreover, India is much safer than Pakistan. Instead of cancelling the IPL, the Indian government should look at hosting the games as a challenge. Hosting the IPL without any hiccup should be our aim.

The Indian government needs to send a message to the terrorists that we may be down, but not out.