Mumbai masala

The spat between the Shiv Sena and BJP now threatens to snowball out of control. The Shiv Sena-BJP coalition has been reduced to a burning effigy. Intent on painting itself as the true champion of Hindutva, party functionaries publicly ridiculed the prime minister and the home minister and went on to question their patriotism since they both took the eminently sensible stand that the singing of the Vande Mataram must not be made mandatory in schools. They are also irked because the BJP publicly stated that the Pakistani cricket team is welcome to play anywhere. The Shiv Sena campaign is not just juvenile, it is not just silly, it is positively dangerous for the nation8217;s image and integrity. Whether Bal Thackeray acknowledges it or not, Atal Behari Vajpayee, George Fernandes, Lal Kishan Advani and Maharashtra8217;s home minister have spoken like true friends of cricket by saying the Pakistani team is welcome anywhere. Brave words and, Mumbai hopes, true words.

But did those central government leaders knowwhen they spoke that any chance of Mumbai seeing India play Pakistan had already been scuttled? When Bal Thackeray says no, the president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association does likewise otherwise he will lose his job as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Manohar Joshi wearing his CM8217;s cap has already said no but as MCA boss he will say the BCCI has not asked for a fixture in Mumbai. Neither the BCCI nor the Pakistan Board can think of putting Mumbai in their plans unless the MCA speaks up and says welcome. As long as the very people who are responsible for law and order are saying no match in Mumbai, organisers and sponsors have no choice but to look elsewhere. That8217;s how it works. Thackeray wins. Mumbai loses. And, it may be added, India loses. Mumbai did not become the pride and joy of Indian cricket because of politicians like Bal Thackeray. The First City of Cricket plays cricket the way cricket should be played boldly, generously, cunningly and comes out on top. But Bal Thackeray says no. BalThackeray says he will decide who you can play where and when. As of now he says you can play the others anywhere and Pakistan in Sharjah or at Lord8217;s but not on Indian soil, well, not in Maharashtra at least, not in Mumbai. Tomorrow, who knows how he will lay down the law. For more than a decade Bal Thackeray has been taking those dreams of future champions and turning them into nightmares by pouring hate and fear over the pitch. And who, it might be asked, is Bal Thackeray in the world of cricket? In Mumbai8217;s cricketing hall of fame you will find the names of Merchant and Mankad, of Gavaskar and Tendulkar, but the name Bal Thackeray doesn8217;t figure anywhere.

It8217;s time the BJP decides enough is enough and tells its partner in government in the State and at the Centre to lay off sports. It has many good reasons to do so and not only for cricket8217;s sake. The image of the BJP and the central government are at stake. BJP leaders may have found it difficult to rein in the excesses of the Shiv Sena in other areasbut at least they are on a strong wicket now with a popular issue like sports. No one is above the law. Nothing, the Prime Minister said, can obstruct the Pakistanis playing in India. Words carry conviction when they are backed by action. The BJP can fudge and dodge the issue or it can risk going down in Maharashtra fighting for cricket. It may not be much of a risk at that.