Following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, former Indian cricket captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has made a strong statement urging the Indian government and cricketing authorities to cut all sporting ties with Pakistan. In a media interaction, Ganguly expressed his outrage and grief over the loss of lives and said that cricket cannot be prioritized when the nation is facing acts of terrorism.
"The Pahalgam attack is a wake-up call," said Ganguly. "We cannot continue to play cricket with a country that supports or shelters terror groups responsible for killing our people. It’s no joke. National security comes first, and we must stand united as a country."
Ganguly’s comments come amidst a nationwide wave of anger and mourning after militants ambushed security forces in Pahalgam, resulting in multiple casualties. The incident has reignited the debate about whether India should maintain any form of sporting engagement with Pakistan.
This is not the first time such sentiments have surfaced. Previous terror attacks have also led to calls for the severing of cricket ties between the two nations. However, Ganguly’s statement carries extra weight due to his influential role in Indian cricket and his history of taking firm stands on national matters.
He further added, "There is a time for sports, and there is a time for seriousness. Right now, the country needs to send a strong message. Playing cricket with Pakistan under these circumstances only sends the wrong signal to our citizens and our armed forces."
Currently, India and Pakistan do not play bilateral series and only face each other in international tournaments like the ICC World Cup or Asia Cup. Ganguly’s call could increase pressure on the BCCI and international bodies to review such encounters even in multi-nation tournaments.
Many political leaders and former players have supported Ganguly’s stance. On social media, several fans echoed his sentiments, using hashtags like #NoCricketWithPakistan to express solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Home Ministry have not yet issued an official statement on the matter, but internal discussions are believed to be underway regarding India’s future participation in any matches involving Pakistan.
As the nation mourns the loss in Pahalgam, Ganguly’s powerful message adds to the growing call for accountability and national unity. Whether his statement will lead to a change in cricket diplomacy remains to be seen, but it certainly reflects the current mood of the nation.
