Say NO to IPL

After the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore and with elections around the corner, it's best not to host the tournament, feel readers

Say NO to IPL

After the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore and with elections around the corner, it's best not to host the tournament, feel readersu00a0

It's shocking that the Lahore attack, the mutiny in Bangladesh, the civil war in Sri Lanka, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the impending elections are not reason enough for the government to clearly not allow Lalit Modi and the BCCI to host the IPL tournament. Instead, they have decided to reschedule matches.

Is this because the BCCI does not want to lose Rs 500 crore? Is this money more important to the government than the upcoming Lok Sabha elections of the world's largest democracy?u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Elections take place every five years. I'm aghast that in India, cricket and entertainment are treated at par with the polls. Or do the politicians look at the elections as a medium of entertainment?

The government needs to set its priorities right. The IPL can wait.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Modi and moolah
P Chidambaram gave in to Lalit Modi's demands, and he's not complaining. In the bargain, the nation's security is going for a toss. Modi and his likes claim to be willing to take on the terrorists. But this enthusiasm is only for money. The Sri Lankan cricketers had a narrow escape in Lahore. But, our government has shown no concern.

With moolah reigning supreme, India has thrown caution to the winds and has given a nod to the IPL.

No sensible foreign cricketer would endanger his life and visit the terror-struck subcontinent. Pakistan has already been ostracised by international cricketers and India is not far behind. Are we waiting for an attack on our soil to fathom the seriousness of the situation? Isn't human life more important than an ordinary game? With elections around the corner, and the security apparatus already stretched to the hilt in providing protection tou00a0 politicians, what cover would India be able to provide cricketers?u00a0u00a0

As of now, India should forget about staging this big cricket tamasha. We need to straighten our defences against terrorists and only think about the game after that.u00a0

Greedy BCCI
The greedy BCCI, along with the new mafia of cricket, Lalit Modi, knows no limits. i agree that the IPL provides entertainment as well as a huge inflow of cash into the already over flowing coffers of the gluttonous BCCI, but what happened to the Sri Lanka team across the border is a chilling reminder that our country too is equally unsafe.

Now that cricket or any other international sport is out of Pakistan's orbit they will make sure that the same happens in India. They are bound to instigate their terror outfits to unleash similar mayhem during the IPL matches or during the elections. Can't the bigwigs of BCCI foresee this? To add to the risk, elections, which are a priority, are clashing with the IPL schedule. Foolproof security cannot be ensured with so many teams visiting the country. During the elections, the security forces will be fully engaged. Providing adequate security for IPL matches will stretch their resources beyond limit, leaving loopholes, which the terrorists may try to take advantage of. And if there is a repeat of the Lahore attack, the entire subcontinent will be out of bounds for any international sporting event. Is the IPL so important that the whole country should be put at risk?u00a0 In the interest of the country, it is better to scrap the event for this year.

How safe is it?
Why is Lalit Modi so desperate to host the IPL matches? It is only to earn billions of rupees. He is not worried about India's security or the terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. Can Lalit Modi or our Home Minister P Chidambaram guarantee that there will be no terror attacks during the IPL matches or the LS polls?

The IPL will draw a lot of international sportspersons and tourists from across the world. Will Modi guarantee their safety?u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels