DNA Edit: We stand with soldiers

Every day thousands of soldiers, far from their homes and their loved ones and at risk of their life and limb, are vigilantly guarding our borders, protecting India and its territories from the nefarious intentions of the Pakistani military. In return, we civilians sing paeans to the glory of their sacrifice and martyrdom, but that is where our concern for them ends.

It seems that there are still a few among us who are too weak to resist the temptation of an India vs Pakistan cricket match. At a time when the Centre has declared that as long as Pakistan-sponsored terrorism continues, there will be no talk, how is cricket being played as if it is business as usual? Is it not the responsibility, nay, the obligation, of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to flatly refuse a match against Pakistan when every year scores of our brave soldiers are martyred while protecting our borders? Unabashedly, the BCCI, unable to resist the temptation of the massive ad revenue it can milk from such a match, had given the go-ahead for Sunday’s too.

Does the cricketing body think that it has no commitment to the country under whose liberal and democratic aegis it has been able to become an extremely rich (not to mention, exceedingly corrupt) cricketing monolith? At such a time we should pick up a lesson or two in sports diplomacy from Afghanistan, which, rightfully, severed all cricketing ties with Pakistan after the dastardly attack in Kabul last week that killed over 90 people. But the BCCI, undeterred and unmindful of the numerous terror attacks India has seen in the past, has given the green signal for the match, blinded as it is by the lure of money and completely oblivious of its patriotic calling.

Thankfully, that is not the case with the group that runs this newspaper and a host of other international, national and regional news channels. Mirroring the thoughts of Rajya Sabha MP and Essel Group Chairman Dr Subhash Chandra, a decision was taken that there would be no reporting on the match on any Zee’s media outlets. This is our way of saying that we stand in absolute and unconditional commitment to our Armed Forces. This is our way of saying that we have not forgotten the soldier, who, in harsh weather and in inimical conditions, is still standing his ground for the common Indian. This is our way of saying that the nation comes first — today, tomorrow and much before TRPs and bottom lines. This is our way of showing that there is still a silent majority that stands by that soldier, instead of cheering and hooting in the match.