A shameful decision

Sir, - Disgusting and shameful is the only way I can describe the decision of the Government not to permit the cricket team to play at Sharjah because one of the other participants is Pakistan. We have announced that our officials at Secretary level will go to Pakistan for trade and other talks. Our Prime Minister is willing to talk to Gen. Musharaff if cross border attacks are reduced (we are not even asking for total stoppage).

And yet, we are bent upon spoiling people-to-people relations while sports lovers in India go into raptures over the skills of Wasim Akram, the Pakistani bowler and Saeed Anwar, the batsman and hail the praise the manager of the Pakistan team showers on our genius Sachin Tendulkar.

The excuse that the Sharjah audience is hostile is the silliest. Mr. Erapalli Prasanna, former Test player, has refuted the charge that the Sharjah crowd is hostile or that there is any special strain on Indian players whey they participate there. On the contrary, he maintains that the Pakistani players are on very friendly terms even on the field.

It appears to me that the RSS lobby is playing this dirty game for electoral advantage. What a shame.

Rajindar Sachar,

New Delhi

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