World Twenty20: India's Image at Stake, Says Anurag Thakur After Dharamsala Controversy
India vs Pakistan World Twenty20 encounter is slated on March 19 in Dharamsala but its fate is now uncertain after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh wrote to the Home Ministry stating that the state government cannot provide security for the match.
The much-awaited India vs Pakistan World Twenty20 clash appears to be in big trouble after the Himachal Pradesh government expressed its inability to provide security for the match, leaving the Board of Control for Cricket in India in a bind with board secretary Anurag Thakur saying that the state should not "play politics". (Don't Play Against India in Dharamsala, Ehsan Mani Tells PCB)
The March 19 game is to be played in Dharamsala but its fate is now uncertain after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh wrote to the Home Ministry stating that the state government cannot provide security for the match. (BCCI in Fix As Himachal Pradesh Doesn't Want to Host Ind-Pak Game)
"We have written to the Union Home Minister on behalf of the government regarding this matter. I think if the match takes place in Dharamsala, it would be against the will of the people of Himachal Pradesh," Singh said in Shimla. (Pakistan Cricket Team Will be Provided Full Security in World Twenty20, Says Anurag Thakur)
"If our war veterans don't want the Indo-Pak match to be held in Dharamsala, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association should accept it. They are not opposing the holding of matches. They are against the Pakistan team playing in Himachal Pradesh," he added.
'Playing Politics'
Reacting sharply to Singh's statement, Thakur, who is also a BJP MP in Lok Sabha, said the state knew of the schedule months in advance and did not specify any such concerns at that time.
"The venues of the World Cup matches were decided one year ago, the allotment of matches was decided six months ago. People all over have made bookings and it is not fair to give such statements at the last minute," Thakur told reporters here.
"The Congress-led state government is clearly playing politics. Hundreds of Pakistani athletes were given security during the South Asian Games in Assam, why can't the Himachal government do the same?," Thakur asked.
"By claiming that you cannot provide security, you are only giving credence to Pakistani claims that there is a security threat to their team in India. It's about the country's image, you cannot play politics over it," he added.
On Monday, the Himachal Pradesh Congress had asked the BCCI to either cancel the proposed match or shift the venue.