‘Was Sachin Tendulkar’s visit political’: Nayeema Mahjoor delves into Indian cricketer’s Kashmir journey
Srinagar: Although Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s recent visit to occupied Kashmir was a private one, it was a general impression among his Kashmiri fans that by visiting various government institutions, Line of Control and chosen places and individuals, the visit seemed more planned and political.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this was written by Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, a Kashmiri author and ex-editor of the BBC, in an opinion piece. She said, “The impression could have been better if Sachin would have met ordinary people. Most felt that though the entire Kashmir was ready to host Sachin Tendulkar, he spent most of his time to fulfill a political goal. That was unexpected for a cricketer”.
During his recent Kashmir tour, Sachin Tedulkar besides visiting Gulmarg and other places met the Indian troops in the Uri sector of the Line of Control.
In the article, Nayeema quoted an unnamed Kashmiri journalist as having said, “…… when a visit to the military cantonment and Aman Setu [Indian army’s last post in Uri sector] was prioritised in the family holiday, the majority considered it a political visit. I didn’t feel any difference from the visits of politicians who only came to express their intentions to impose Hindutva policy; Sachin’s visit to certain chosen places strengthened that message. And, when the Prime Minister of India expressed his opinion on Sachin’s visit, such impressions were proved right. It was not a simple family holiday; it was more than that.”
The writer quoted, Riyaz Lone, based in Gulmarg, as having said, ‘I wish he were without security; it would have been a bit more fun to talk to him’. Riyaz was once Sachin’s big fan. Currently, he considers Virat Kohli and Shahid Afridi his cricketing role models. On being asked, if Kohli or Afridi come to the Valley, what kind of reaction will come, Riyaz said, ‘There will be a crowd to see Virat, and he must be respected as a great player, but ‘Lala Afridi, a sea of people will come to see him, and maybe the government will have to implement a curfew’.
He went on to say that ‘if such a day ever comes that Pakistan’s players are allowed to go to Kashmir, hundreds of lives may be lost due to the stampede, adding Pakistan’s players live in our hearts and that Imran Khan, Lala Afridi, and Babar Azam are our all-time heroes.
Ghulam Rasool, a businessman who makes cricket bats in south Kashmir’s Islamabad told Nayeema, “…. but it was his private visit that had the Line of Control in his itinerary. Perhaps, it was among the priorities to display the Akhand Bharat map in front of the Aman Setu Bridge”.
