Kirti raises question on clearing Pak cricket tour of India

Cricketer-turned BJP MP Kirti Azad today raised serious questions on clearing Pakistan cricket team's tour of India despite the fact that Islamabad has not taken any action on Mumbai terrorists attack even after being provided series of proofs.

Taking a strong exception to the Home Ministry clearance of the Pakistan tour of India for a limited-over series beginning December 25, Azad sought to know from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh why he was silent on the matter.

"BJP would raise the issue prominently in the winter session of Parliament," Azad, who is Lok Sabha member from Darbhanga, told reporters.

Azad, who was member of Indian cricket team that had won world cup in 1983, said though he agrees that sports should be kept out of politics but it can not be done at the cost of country's security and prestige.

"The cricketing nations had no sporting ties with the South Africa during apartheid besides the Western countries had boycotted 1984 Moscow Olympics," he said to drive home his point.

He said that in the wake of 26/11, the PM had said in Parliament that no ties would be maintained with Pakistan till it punishes those involved in Mumbai attack which was supported by the BJP.

"So what has changed now that the government is going back on its stand despite the fact that Pakistan has not kept its word on the terrorist attack on Mumbai," he wondered.