Not Cricket

• ‘‘Where is the need to go to Pakistan when our jawans are being killed on the border and nefarious activities are going on ...

• ‘‘Where is the need to go to Pakistan when our jawans are being killed on the border and nefarious activities are going on … It is not the question of being afraid, but should the cricketers go there when terrorist activities are on?… Can Pakistan be believed? (referring to Pak claims of foolproof security measures)”

Bal Thackeray, Sena chief

• ‘‘Due attention must be paid to the security aspect, but India should play with Pakistan. (Here), people (referring to Sena) dig the pitch if a Indo-Pak match is organised.

Laloo Yadav, RJD chief

• ‘‘This is a decision which the BCCI has to take in consultation with the government of India.’’ (However, government policy is like) ‘‘ping-pong diplomacy. One day the government decides to embrace President Pervez Musharraf and the next day it says it will not talk to him’’.

Kapil Sibal, Congress

• ‘‘Decisions on specific events are for each sporting association or board to take … As far as we are concerned, the position is that on October 22 last year, as part of our step-by-step process for normalisation of diplomatic and other links with Pakistan, the government had announced the resumption of sporting links. And within the framework of this policy, government allows such contacts.’’

Navtej Sarna, MEA