Sourav Ganguly Urges India to Sever Cricketing Ties with Pakistan After Terror Attack
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has taken a firm stand in the wake of the recent terror attack in Kashmir, stating that India must break all cricketing ties with Pakistan. Addressing reporters, Ganguly said that India would be fully justified in taking such a step, stressing that terrorism cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
On April 22, terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadows, killing 26 innocent people and injuring many more. The Resistance Force (TRF), a Pakistan-based terrorist group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the heinous attack. Reacting strongly to this act of terror, Ganguly said, “100 per cent, India should do this (break ties with Pakistan). Strict action should be taken. It has turned out to be a joke that such things are happening every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated.”
The former BCCI president emphasized that incidents of terrorism on Indian soil have become a recurring issue, and that it is high time India responds strongly, including through sports. Ganguly called for India to not only refuse bilateral series with Pakistan but also to boycott matches against them in global tournaments like the ICC World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Ganguly’s comments come after BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also condemned the terror attack. Shukla reiterated that the Indian government has a clear stance on cricketing relations with Pakistan, which the BCCI fully supports. “We are with the victims and we condemn it. Whatever our government will say, we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government stand, and we will not play bilateral series with them going forward,” Shukla told Sports Tak. However, he added that participation against Pakistan in ICC events continues due to commitments with the international governing body.
India has already shown its reluctance to engage with Pakistan on the cricket field by refusing to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, Indian matches are set to be played in Dubai, underlining India’s firm position on avoiding direct sporting engagements with Pakistan.
The outrage following the terror strike has not been limited to the sports fraternity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from Bihar, delivered a strong message to the perpetrators of the attack. “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” he said, switching to English to underscore the seriousness of his message.
The Prime Minister also reassured the nation that terrorism would not break India’s spirit and that the government would ensure justice for the victims. He thanked world leaders who expressed solidarity with India following the attack, emphasizing the global support India has received in its fight against terrorism.
The attack in Pahalgam has reignited calls for stronger action against Pakistan, not just diplomatically but also in the field of sports, where cricket often acts as a high-profile bridge between the two nations. Ganguly’s strong remarks reflect the mood of a nation that demands zero tolerance for terrorism and a firm, uncompromising stand on all fronts.
IT.
