According to a news report, Interpol has foiled a plot for an attack during the World Cup. Apparently, this has been made possible with the help of Pakistan. India too, however, needs to play its role in curbing the multitude of Hindu extremist groups who have increasingly widened their networking and are now dominating the Indian political landscape.
This domination can be exposed by the flagrantly issued threats and warnings that the Pakistani team has received by them. Bal Thakeray, the chief of Shiv Sena, a Hindu nationalist party, has forewarned that the Indian public was capable of tearing the very flesh off the Pakistani cricket players during their visit to India for the World Cup.
With a vicious track record of orchestrating various attacks in India and blaming Pakistan for it, the RSS is notorious for fuelling hatred and animosity between the two archrivals. Every attack in Indian territory since 2006 has been confessed to have been designed and conducted by it including the notable Samjhauta Express train attack.
Similarly, the killing of the Indian parrot who made the inexcusable prediction of Pakistans victory in the World Cup is a despicable act of cowardice and wickedness. A cricket match between both countries has always symbolised a one-day battle fought by players as soldiers defending the national honour. The need to win is strong but fair play and sportsman spirit should always be adhered to. Indias obsession has clearly not abated after six decades and any prospect of Pakistan overtaking in any spheres becomes impossible to endure. In this backdrop, the Indian authorities need to keep their guard up and security on high alert as the Pakistani cricket team is also under threat in India.
DR SAFA RAHMAN
Islamabad
