- 1 hour ago
The big talking point of this episode of India First is Bangladesh's decision to boycott the T20 World Cup in India over security concerns.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening. For all practical purposes, is the Bangladesh cricket team out of the World Cup T20 International starting the 7th of February in India?
00:12Bangladesh had 24 hours to respond to two choices.
00:17Either play in India or be replaced by Scotland for the World T20 after Dhaka's plea for change of venue and pool to play Bangladesh's matches in Sri Lanka instead of India.
00:29were turned down 14-2 by the International Cricket Council or ICC yesterday.
00:38So Bangladesh were given. Bangladesh pleaded for 24 hours.
00:42They said, let's take it back. Let's discuss it at home. We'll come back to you with a response.
00:47But before the end of the deadline, Asif Nazrul, advisor Bangladesh Sports, issued a statement and we will play that out for you in a moment.
00:54Bangladesh reiterated, security of its players, contingent and fans remains its core concern.
01:02Bangladesh believes that the fans, the contingent, the fans will not be safe in India given the current environment.
01:09Bangladesh hopes that the ICC may still consider or reconsider its request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka.
01:18Asif Nazrul claims, except for reiteration of standard security protocol, there is no fresh assurance either from the ICC or from India or the BCCI on their core concerns on security scenario in India.
01:34Bangladesh has also received absolutely no reassurance according to them from either the BCCI or Government of India on providing additional security to its players and contingent.
01:48The ICC incidentally, after hearing Bangladesh, had turned down the request for change of venue on security grounds.
01:55And of course, also on dropping off, Mustafizur Rehman from Kolkata Knight Riders team saying, words to the effect, I'm not quoting them in verbatim, but words to the effect,
02:05a single isolated and unrelated development concerning just one of their players is irrelevant in a domestic league that has absolutely no bearing on the ICC's security framework.
02:18Vikrant Gupta and Nikhil Naz get us our top story on this special broadcast.
02:27The Bangladesh and Terram government had a chance to put cricket ahead of their shallow ego and politics, but the latter eclipsed better sense and logic.
02:37After consulting with its players, the government decided to boycott the team's visit to India for the T20 World Cup, which effectively means that another country will take their spot.
02:51This despite security assurance from cricket's top body to the BCB.
03:07Furthermore, the ICC stated that the BCB constantly linked their security threat to the fact that
03:37the BCCI instructed IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad amid political tensions between the two nations.
03:49It's worth noting that the BCB lost the ICC board vote 14-2 with only them and Pakistan Cricket Board voting in favour of a venue change.
03:59Scotland will now be the team to replace Bangladesh in the tournament as they are the highest-ranked team to have not qualified for the tournament.
04:10In a first, a team has decided to boycott an entire ICC tournament.
04:17Bangladesh cricket now finds itself in a hole they may find hard to come out of.
04:29Now, social media commentary in Pakistan indicates that there are growing calls for Pakistan to now stand in solidarity with Bangladesh and opt-out a World Cup T20 international.
04:46Even though there are no grounds for Pakistan to do so, especially since their matches are anyways in Sri Lanka as part of this hybrid model.
04:53So, former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif, he's called for a full Pakistan boycott of the World T20 international,
05:00accusing the ICC, the International Cricket Council, of making a political move, saying that it's too pro-India,
05:08warned of threat to cricketers in India, and yet ICC taking action to protect the Bangladeshi players.
05:15Latif is of the view, Pakistan must challenge this existing cricket order,
05:20saying this is the best opportunity, or words to that effect, claiming without an India-Pakistan clash,
05:26half the World Cup will anyways collapse. Listen in.
05:29Translates of the World Cup in Pakistan,
05:48in India, where are we going to live in India, then where are we going to live in India.
05:52And the truth is that Pakistan has two or three days before this statement has been done.
06:01It is true that if there is not a country, then Pakistan will not be able to live in India.
06:09Whatever the problems or problems have been implemented in the future.
06:16In my opinion, there will be no chance to get the opportunity to play the world's cricket.
06:22This is the thing for Pakistan.
06:25I have the most authoritative voices on India and on Bangladesh on cricket and on politics.
06:35Joining me on this subject, elections in Bangladesh incidentally around the corner.
06:38Has cricket been sacrificed at the altar of electoral politics in Bangladesh?
06:43Is this victory of short-term anti-India electoral politics and defeat of long-term cricket interests in Bangladesh?
06:51Joining me on this special broadcast is Major Mohamad Ashraful Zaman.
06:56He's a Bangladesh army veteran and an analyst, writes extensively in Bangladesh.
07:01Vikrant Gupta is managing editor, Sports Tak and Aaj Tak.
07:05Aaj Tak Mohamad Kamruz Zaman is a journalist who joins us from Bangladesh.
07:10Nikhil Nas is consultant editor, Sports India today.
07:12Also with me is Sushant Sareen, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
07:17Keeps a hawk eye on all developments in the region.
07:20And I want to begin by bringing Major Ashraful Zaman into this conversation.
07:24Major, has Bangladesh cut its nose to spite its face for an anti-India electoral rhetoric?
07:32Cricket interests in Bangladesh have been sacrificed?
07:35Thank you very much for having me on this show.
07:40I won't go that far that it has cut the nose and it has nothing to do with the election which is to be held on 12th February.
07:52I think there are two issues.
07:55One is the safety and security of the players plus the expectators who are likely to go from Bangladesh.
08:04And the other aspect is a sort of humiliation from the Indian fans like how Mustafiz was sorted out.
08:19So this becomes at times a national pride that has been daunted.
08:28I would like to...
08:29Let me bring in Vikrant.
08:30Let me bring in Vikrant to respond to this Vikrant.
08:32Has the window now closed for Bangladesh?
08:34Can they still hope that ICC would reconsider and let them play in Sri Lanka?
08:39But has that ship sailed?
08:41Is there merit in Bangladesh thinking that it's now an issue of national prestige
08:46because Mustafizur was dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders, their safety is at stake?
08:51They have every right to feel the way they are, but the ship has sailed, Gaurav.
08:55In fact, yesterday, when the ICC voted 14-2 in favour of retaining the original schedule,
09:03it meant that Bangladesh's demand wasn't met.
09:07When Bangladesh Cricket Board Chairman Amin al-Islam requested the ICC then,
09:11please allow me 24 hours, let me go back to the government.
09:14And the same Amin al-Islam today is saying, who is the ICC to give me 24 hours?
09:19How the hell could they give me an ultimatum of 24 hours?
09:23By the way, in the minutes of the meeting yesterday, Amin al-Islam has been quoted as saying,
09:28we've got nothing to do with this.
09:30It's the government which has taken the decision.
09:32So, you can choose whatever you want to.
09:35Fair enough.
09:36Muhammad comes to Zaman.
09:37We're told players wanted to play.
09:39Board was keen to play.
09:41But political leaders won in Bangladesh and cricket lost.
09:47Thank you very much.
09:49Thank you very much.
09:50Actually, you know that now there is an interim government.
09:53It's not a political government who has taken the decision.
09:56The problem is that actually T2AD cricket tournament is not only a match, not only a game only.
10:03Millions of fans, youth, they are so much interested to watch the T2AD tournament all the time.
10:09The problem is that Mustafa Jir Rahman is a very, very favourite cricketer in this country.
10:15And when there was demonstrations in India, partly demonstration by some group,
10:21and Indian cricket authority actually put a decision on the Kolkata night riders to exclude Mustafa.
10:29So, it has turned into a matter of prestige for Bangladesh.
10:33And now it has turned into a national prestige also, I think.
10:38So, this decision has been taken.
10:43But it was nothing happened.
10:45If, based on a normal group protest, if Indian authority didn't take that type of decision,
10:52like exclusion of Mustafa, nothing has happened.
10:55So, now, actually, India should resolve it anyway.
10:59And they try to regain the trust of Bangladeshi people because T2AD cricket, the World Cup,
11:07it means that huge number of people will visit India.
11:10They will also watch directly the match.
11:13So, there is many, multiple reasons on security ground.
11:17Fair enough.
11:18Though, I must tell you, even if Bangladesh were not to play and Scotland comes in,
11:23and guide me through this, Nikhil, equally large number of people will come.
11:28Equally large number of people will watch.
11:31There's revenue for India.
11:33There's a lot of loss, isn't it, Nikhil, for Bangladesh.
11:37What does this mean for Bangladesh cricket?
11:39The impact, would it be restricted just to the ICC World T20?
11:43Or will there be consequences in a longer term for Bangladesh?
11:46Oh, for sure, Gaurav.
11:47It's going to be long term consequences.
11:49And even before I illustrate why that is the case, I, you know,
11:53very politely disagree with the two guests that we had.
11:56I'll start with Major Ashraf Tehr.
11:58He speaks and he says that this was not a political decision.
12:03I, you know, beg to differ with that.
12:06I'll tell you why.
12:07It is not a situation where, till now, everything that the Bangladesh Cricket Board has done,
12:12they've been very transparent.
12:13You know, in fact, we've been quite, you know, singing praises of the Bangladesh Cricket Association,
12:19saying that every little conversation that happens between BCB and ICC,
12:23they put a press release out and tell you exactly what's happened.
12:26You know, the only time that they have not been transparent
12:29is what is the conversation that was had between the Bangladesh government and their players.
12:34You know, we are here being told and we are made to believe that not a lot of Bangladeshi players were on board
12:40with the government's decision not to be playing this particular World Cup.
12:44I believe there were five players that have even boycotted this particular meeting.
12:47What does that tell you?
12:48If you were so confident with the players supporting you, you would have been as transparent
12:52and would have come out with a statement as to what is the conversation that happened between the Bangladeshi players as well as the government.
12:59That's one.
13:00Secondly, the other Bangladesh guest that we have, the journalist, he mentions that,
13:04listen, at the moment there is a lot of national pride at play.
13:08And I think that is the crux of the matter.
13:10So the decision has been taken, keeping in mind the national pride, not the merit of the case.
13:16Because you go back to Mustafa Azur.
13:18Mustafa Azur was asked not to come to India, not on the basis of security.
13:22There was enough sentiment here in the country that did not want, with the attacks on minority in Bangladesh,
13:28there was a sizable population in India that did not want a Bangladesh player to be participating in what we call a festival of cricket, which is the IPL.
13:36That's not a bilateral series.
13:38It is not a multilateral tournament.
13:40Not to participate in the festival of cricket you didn't want an individual player.
13:43That wasn't to say we can't provide him security.
13:46Of course you can.
13:47If security was an issue, BCCI would have been the first board to have said we cannot have Bangladesh.
13:52Let's not have Bangladesh here.
13:53What does that tell you?
13:54It is a question of national pride.
13:56So you've miscalculated.
13:58You've taken national pride ahead of pragmatism.
14:00And that is why you find yourself in a position which can harm Bangladesh cricket in the future.
14:05Just to add to what Nikhil said and the gentleman said.
14:09He said Mustafa Azur is a national icon and a national pride.
14:12Is Saakibul Hassan still a national pride?
14:16Or do you brand him as a fugitive?
14:21Or India Ka Dalal, India's agent?
14:24That guy has been your most famous cricketer ever.
14:27And ever since that coup, Saakibul Hassan has not been able to go back to Bangladesh.
14:32Fearing for his life and his family's life.
14:35So how do you say today Mustafa Azur suits you but Saakibul Hassan and his legacy doesn't suit you?
14:43Very interesting point.
14:44Let me quickly bring in Sushant because Meiji I want you to respond to these points.
14:48But I also want to bring Sushant into this conversation for a simple reason.
14:52Was Bangladesh Sushant led up the garden path by Pakistan?
14:58And will this in your view lead to more anti-India atmosphere?
15:02A more vicious anti-India atmosphere in Bangladesh?
15:06Have we alienated another neighbor, Sushant?
15:09Look, you asked a couple of things and let me answer that one by one.
15:14One, I think they overplayed their hand.
15:17They thought that they can do this kind of grandstanding and get away with it.
15:22And I think they received their comeuppance.
15:24And I find it very strange for I think one of their officials because this is the reports that I've read.
15:29Saying that we haven't got any assurance from India that India did not reach out to us.
15:34Did you reach out to India and seek any assurance?
15:37Or was India unilaterally supposed to reach out to you and give you any assurance?
15:41So you never did it.
15:43You were doing your own grandstanding.
15:45And, you know, your bluff got called.
15:48That is one.
15:49Second on this whole Pakistan business.
15:51I think once the Bangladeshis overplayed their hand, the Pakistanis as usual jumped in.
15:57And made a complete mamu of these guys.
15:59And this must have told them that, you know, we are behind you.
16:02We will back you.
16:04And I dare the Pakistanis.
16:06I dare them.
16:07If they have any Gairat whatsoever.
16:10If they are not completely Bhe Gairat.
16:12They should boycott.
16:13Let me see if they do it.
16:15If they have the guts.
16:16They will not.
16:17Because they have let these guys up the garden path.
16:19And the kind of losses that the Bangladesh board will take.
16:22Because of this boycott.
16:23Is something that they will have to bear those costs.
16:26Third on this whole issue of pride.
16:29Look, you know, there has to be some.
16:33I can understand individuals jumping up, you know, and having knee jerk reactions.
16:38But institutions and governments must have a very careful calculated approach.
16:45You cannot behave like, you know, somebody on the street.
16:49And make high policy on the basis of that.
16:52And clearly, so they've shot themselves in the foot.
16:56And finally.
16:57You think they've shot themselves in the foot?
16:58Finally.
16:59Let me just make one more point, Gaurav.
17:01This whole business that, will there be, will it create more resentment?
17:05It wasn't as though there wasn't already enough resentment being created by the very people who did this grandstanding.
17:11They have already been orchestrating an anti-India hatred campaign in Bangladesh.
17:18It is visible.
17:19It is palpable.
17:20Right?
17:21So if you think, just because they haven't come and they boycotted, which is their own decision.
17:25This is going to further fuel just too bad.
17:28You know, they have to learn to cope with the realities of life.
17:32Okay.
17:33So Major Ashraf, beyond the headlines, beyond the elections.
17:37Asif Nazrul may have placated this anti-India constituency in Bangladesh.
17:42But the Bangladeshi cricket.
17:44I just, I don't mean just the cricketers, the contingent, the board.
17:48But Bangladesh cricket.
17:50They lose experience.
17:51They lose money.
17:52They lose a friendly board like India.
17:55Who will Bangladesh play with in future?
17:57Pakistan.
17:58And Pakistan alone.
17:59I think this is not the cutoff line for playing with other nations.
18:08India, to be very honest, the overwhelming feelings in this country is that India and Indian officials and the text and tone with which some of my co-hosts are talking.
18:24It is a sort of humiliating tone and taunting language that is not very welcome under any circumstances.
18:35And that is what is happening in the greater spectrum as well.
18:42So, you see, sometimes some losses are worth accepting.
18:49Including the loss of Saakib?
18:52That's worth accepting because Vikrant asked you a very pertinent question, sir.
18:56Okay, right.
18:57I will come back to Saakib issue.
18:59Saakib is not, he has some legal issues with him.
19:06It is not that he is being dealt here as a player.
19:09He has some legal issues.
19:11So, that is being followed through.
19:14So, that's why he is abroad.
19:16So, please do not relate.
19:19I would appreciate not to relate Saakib issue here.
19:23It is not that he, our players, they played in India and vice versa, your team came here.
19:31But, Saakib case, I would appreciate if you kindly do not include here.
19:37No, I will tell you why Vikrant specifically brought in Saakib.
19:41Vikrant, I believe you were just trying to show a mirror to Bangladesh that this is not about cricket.
19:47For them, it's who is close to the regime currently in power and not cricket.
19:53Isn't it Vikrant?
19:54See, I am not bothered about what will happen with Bangladesh now.
19:59India, I have been very friendly with them in terms of cricket.
20:02Geopolitics, of course, is not my subject.
20:04Gaurav, it is yours.
20:05It is Sushant's.
20:06So, I am not entitled to speak on that.
20:08But the fact is, the fact is, Saakib is not going back to Dhaka because of security reasons.
20:16So, any country which cannot provide security to one of the national icons cannot just on some silly premise say that players are not going to be safe in India.
20:29There is an independent security agency.
20:31And I still believe, I still believe, Majad, if when the Mustafizur incident had happened, if the Bangladesh cricket board had picked up a phone and spoken to the ICC or the BCCI and told them,
20:44listen, the situation is very volatile, is there a possibility that we may avoid coming to India if our matches could be shifted to Sri Lanka?
20:54I am sure, I can give it to you in writing, the ICC may have done that.
20:58The BCCI may have done that.
21:00But the fact that your sports advisor, Nazrul, he came and said, eat, say eat, bajaa denge.
21:06Bataa denge.
21:07We will tell the world.
21:09This is not how, and I believe your cricketers, the cricket ecosystem is now saying,
21:14that if we'd spoken to India in a manner befitting a big board, maybe things would have happened.
21:21But you brought your ego to the table.
21:24See, one thing, and we do not live in an ideal world anymore.
21:28Not you, not me, not anybody.
21:30Donald Trump goes to Davos.
21:33And the world gravitates towards them.
21:36I think the irony is, for the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Israeli Prime Minister to share the same stage.
21:44Okay?
21:45To share the same stage.
21:47Let me ask Rashid Latif, let me ask the Pakistani players who wear this badge of free Palestine.
21:54What will they do now?
21:55So, if Donald Trump is the one who is the Pied Piper of world, maybe India is the Pied Piper of cricket.
22:02Okay.
22:03And you know, I find it very silly, Gaurav, if somebody is powerful, famous, has the money, has the clout, he becomes the villain of your story.
22:12Not necessarily.
22:13No, in fact, that was the narrative for decades.
22:15It's just that India now is very clear.
22:17You know, there is a certain world order.
22:19That world order, in whatever way, wherever, will be followed.
22:22But you know, the point that you raised about Saakib is one part of the story.
22:25I, you know, Major Ashraf, you want to quickly respond because I want to bring in Sushant and Nikhil also into this conversation.
22:32And Kamruzaman also.
22:33But Major, you wanted to respond.
22:34You see, what has happened, it's unfortunate, but at times we need to accommodate the unfortunate issues.
22:49But here, it is not the question of India, Pakistan or any other country.
22:56It's the question of Bangladesh and India.
22:59Honestly, there is overwhelming sentiment in this country that cricket, definitely India is very important element of ICC.
23:13But you have your position, that's fine.
23:17But with the, with looking down the nation and the players, it does not go well.
23:25And about Mustafir's, fellow commentator, I would like to consider again that Mustafir issue is, as of now, as I know, it is, he has number of legal issues that he is facing.
23:42No, Saakib does, not Mustafir.
23:44Sorry, sorry, sorry, Saakib.
23:46My apology, my apology.
23:47Saakib, right.
23:48Okay, but give me a moment.
23:49You know, I want to bring in Nikhil into this conversation, but Vikrant, just 30 seconds and both Nikhil and you and Sushant can cover this aspect.
23:55May I have one point here, please?
23:56May I have one point, please?
23:57Kindly.
23:58Go on, Major.
23:59That is, you see, we had cricketing relation.
24:02Even if you talk about the interim government, during interim governments, there were a, Bangladesh went to play in India,
24:11and Bangladesh.
24:12I can't remember where there was any match during this time, but things went.
24:18But, you know, believe me, the overwhelming sentiment, the Mustafir issues has scarred and it has gone as a national human condition.
24:29National human condition has also scarred people in India.
24:31Killing of Hindus is completely unacceptable.
24:33Killing of minorities is completely unacceptable.
24:36Kindly understand that.
24:37That also hurts us, but be that as it may.
24:39Vikrant Gupta, I want to just quickly bring you and Nikhil onto the aspect of loss of revenue for Bangladesh cricket board and players.
24:46Have they lost an opportunity to play and rub shoulders with the best teams, the best players in the world?
24:51Like Pakistan is a has-been.
24:53Will Bangladesh end up being a has-been?
24:56Vikrant Gupta.
24:57You know, you'll have to ask the players, and I'm sure the players are very, very disappointed.
25:03And they know that the cricketers became, they were used like a football, both by the politicians and the Bangladesh cricket board.
25:11I think in terms of the losses and the sanctions and this and that, I think once the dust clears, you will get to know.
25:18Okay.
25:19But the fact is, other than India and to an extent Australia and England, the rest of the cricket boards are so dependent on the ICC money, Gaurav, that they cannot do without that.
25:31Okay. Nikhil, what kind of a loss financially would this mean for the Bangladesh cricket board?
25:38I mean, just one tournament loss is something that they can look at, even though ICC, you know, revenue is the major chunk of the money that they make.
25:45But I think it's going to have long-term implications.
25:48You think that this is going to end?
25:50This T20 World Cup, I think, will go ahead.
25:52Scotland will replace Bangladesh.
25:54What happens to the Asian Cricket Council?
25:56Now, remember, that's another source of revenue that comes to Bangladesh cricket.
25:59You are due to have the Asia Cup next year.
26:03Will that go ahead?
26:04I don't think in a scenario like that where you've got three or four major countries that play cricket in Asia at loggerheads, you'll have that.
26:12I don't think that will hurt India as much.
26:13India will go on with the bilateral series with IPL.
26:16It will hurt Pakistan.
26:17It will hurt Bangladesh.
26:18Let's not forget that, you know, Bangladesh are going to be host of that Asia Cup that I talk about.
26:23Whether it will go ahead, that's where they'll lose the money.
26:25In 2031, you have a scenario where Bangladesh, India are co-hosts in the 2031, 50 over World Cup.
26:33And whether that World Cup will go ahead as co-hosts, I don't know.
26:36So, you could have a new world order in cricket as we stand and as we speak with this particular situation.
26:41Sushant, was there an off-ramp for Bangladesh here?
26:44And, you know, what would this mean for Asia Cup?
26:47And beyond this, when it comes to cricket in Asia, clearly, except for ICC, we are not playing Pakistan given the way they've behaved with the last Asia Cup trophy still, you know, not with us.
26:59Look, I think Asia Cup was a favour that we were doing to most of the other countries in Asia.
27:05Because the bulk of the revenue is almost, I think, 80 to 90% used to go from India.
27:10Excuse me.
27:11And frankly, if India was to just walk out of the Asia Cup, they can play between themselves and, you know, for whatever crumbs come their way.
27:20They're most welcome to do that.
27:22It's a sovereign decision.
27:23They can keep their pride and play together.
27:25Second, on the World Cup, look, I won't go up to 2030.
27:29We don't even know if this world will survive Donald Trump by then or not.
27:33So, let's not go that far.
27:35Let's talk about what will happen in the next couple of months, couple of years.
27:39Personally, I've seen some calculations.
27:42I don't know the veracity of that.
27:44But I would imagine that the Bangladesh Cricket Board will probably lose tens of millions of dollars.
27:50I don't think that's money they can afford to lose.
27:53As far as the off-ramp was concerned, you know, there was an off-ramp even till yesterday.
27:57They could have just swallowed and put some kind of, you know, spin on the whole thing.
28:03But I think they've been egged on to a point partly by, you know, people in the government, partly by the Pakistanis who are egging them on that we'll bring support for you.
28:13You keep, you know, you dig in your heels and then left them in the lurch, right?
28:19This is what the Pakistanis have always done.
28:21They've done it again.
28:23And they've left them in the lurch.
28:25I think they had an off-ramp even yesterday where they could have said, okay, fine.
28:29Can you please give us some security guarantees?
28:31Can you please reach out to us?
28:33They could have picked up the phone, as Vikrant is very correctly saying, not just to move their matches, but to seek security from the government of India.
28:40They could have done that.
28:42Bangladesh could have picked up a phone and spoken to people in the government of India,
28:46that can you assure security to our team and, you know, the entire staff which comes and to the spectators.
28:51But then that would have meant a loss of face and they would have lost elections.
28:54Plus the issue was never security.
28:56We all know that was a smokescreen.
28:57The issue is Mustafizur being removed from IPL, after which they don't want to come to India.
29:02It's a reciprocal action that they've taken.
29:04If they were really concerned about security, they would have idly picked up that phone and asked.
29:08But as we said, you know, they've, Pakistan themselves, they've irked them on, taken them up the garden path.
29:14You've also got to remember, Pakistan has been smarting from the fact that India did not go there for champion's trophy.
29:20So they were waiting for an opportunity to have a situation where yet another country wants to boycott.
29:24If Bangladesh had actually put their act together, realising that Mustafizur is a separate issue, it's an individual issue,
29:31you cannot be talking about security, I think they would have bargained for something better.
29:35It's not even a bilateral series or an international series, multilateral series.
29:40And Mohammed Kamruzaman, Bangladesh now gets relegated to playing perhaps with a has-been like Pakistan and a sidekick of Pakistan.
29:50So Pakistan was once a strong team.
29:53Now look at how they've been relegated to the dustbin of history.
29:56Look at the loss of revenue.
29:58Look at the loss of experience for them.
30:00And Bangladesh is going down the same path.
30:03Actually, the issue of Pakistan is totally a matter of time.
30:15The fact is that here you have mentioned that it's a very isolated case.
30:21If there was no security concern, then why Mustafizur Rahman was stopped playing with Kolkata nettrider.
30:28So after an incident, another incident happened.
30:31So you didn't think it a fully isolated way.
30:35And another fact is that here you have already mentioned and people are saying that in Bangladesh,
30:40anti-Indian sentiment is rising and this is an outcome of that sentiment.
30:44Actually, okay, this is on part narrative.
30:46And another part, we can also say that actually,
30:48Indian government failed you to continue the trust of Bangladeshi people.
30:53So, so there are that type of reasons.
30:56You should also mention that.
30:57We've been doing it.
30:58Look, we, Bangladesh was born courtesy India and Mukti Bahini.
31:03Do keep that in mind, sir.
31:05You know, why is it, why should we keep pleasing?
31:08Why should we be the people pleasers?
31:10Okay, okay.
31:11You have to look after, you have to look after your interests.
31:14Of course.
31:15Bangladeshi people, Bangladeshi people.
31:18I am sorry that, that era is long over of crying big brother, big brother.
31:23I am sorry this world has moved on.
31:26If all the time, if all the time take the same issue happened five decades back in all cases,
31:33it's not fair, I think.
31:35So, you should also talk in the present context.
31:39In the present context?
31:41Sir, even for your bread and butter, even for your bread and butter and your electricity and your revenue,
31:48you do know where things stand.
31:51So, you know, that is some, that realization now needs to come in,
31:54but Sushant Sarin wants to come in and I'm sorry I'm sounding harsh.
31:57That's not the intention, but I will not have anybody talk down to us.
32:01Do keep in mind, India doesn't let the United States talk down to us.
32:05If you bring the 1970s on issue all the time.
32:09Can you keep quiet?
32:11Sir, that's your, your, you know, outlook, but Sushant wants to come in.
32:15Let me just put the record straight.
32:17Let me just put the record straight.
32:19Number one, if Bangladesh buys something from us and we buy something from them,
32:23neither side is doing anybody a favor.
32:26It's mutually beneficial, the trade relationship which we have.
32:30If we are selling them electricity and they're buying it from us,
32:33they're not doing us a favor.
32:35They need it.
32:36We have it.
32:37We sell it.
32:38They buy it.
32:39So, I don't confuse commercial relationship with all this.
32:42My problem is with what the gentleman, the journalist gentleman from Bangladesh is saying that,
32:47you know, Indians lost the trust of Bangladeshi.
32:50I'm sure he's alluding to why we did not interfere in Bangladeshi affairs when Sheikh Hasina was in power.
32:58Now, imagine if we had interfered, they would have said, why is India interfering?
33:04If we have not interfered, they are saying, why has India not interfered?
33:09Now, if we interfere today, because you have this kind of a kleptocratic regime in place,
33:14which is letting loose all the Islamist jihadists, you will say, why is India interfering?
33:20If we don't interfere and tomorrow all hell breaks loose in Bangladesh, you will say, why did you not interfere?
33:25Please make up your mind. Do you want me to interfere? Do you not want me to interfere in your affairs?
33:30No, and I also want to bring in Vikrant on the other aspect that's also being raised, very pertinent points to Shant.
33:36Vikrant, a plea that Bangladesh took was that cricket is now an Olympic sport.
33:41They're accusing India of having that big brother attitude.
33:44Does that impact India adversely, you know, when we bid for the Olympics or going ahead,
33:50that, look, India's a giant, but then it's at odds with two neighbours now?
33:55That's the point. It's the ICC which has taken the decision, not India.
33:59There are 14 votes in favour of not changing the original match schedule.
34:05So, I don't know why people are just talking about India.
34:08If India, they think, like I said, is powerful enough, then that's good on India.
34:13And everything in life is not going to revolve around the revenue or the money that you generated.
34:20Also about the way your team is performing.
34:24I mean, India has always controlled 70-80% of the world cricket revenue in the 90s as well.
34:29But it is now that the Indians are the world beaters, that is why, you know, they assume that power.
34:36The fact is, the same plea was given to Bangladesh yesterday.
34:41Yes.
34:42Bangladesh cricket board official was told that, listen, cricket will soon become an Olympic sport.
34:50And do you expect in Olympics, a team goes to the IOC and says,
34:55Oh, listen, let's change our group or let's change our match schedule.
34:59They don't. They can't.
35:00So, it is exactly the same plea which was given to them.
35:03And now they are turning around and saying that cricket is going to the Olympics.
35:08Yep.
35:09See, there is a very, very serious threat and Nikhil can possibly identify or confirm.
35:15There are certain European nations and Europe controls the football market in the world.
35:19Yep.
35:20Who apparently are threatening a boycott of the FIFA World Cup.
35:24Because US is one of the coasts.
35:27You think FIFA will go begging?
35:29No, they won't.
35:31Nikhil?
35:32Absolutely.
35:33No, he's absolutely right.
35:34And again, going back to that point, it is not a decision taken by the BCCI.
35:40If there was merit in the argument that Bangladesh has put forward, I'm sure Australia would have voted in Bangladesh's favour.
35:46England may have voted in Bangladesh's favour.
35:48But that did not happen.
35:50I mean, that's something that we should not lose sight of at the moment.
35:54And also, I mean, Bangladesh also has to see a long-term, you know, outlook.
35:59They need to have a long-term outlook.
36:01You speak about Olympic Games and so on and so forth.
36:03Even at the Olympic Games, if a decision is taken by the International Olympic Committee, you have to stand by that.
36:09Yeah.
36:10At the moment, it is Bangladesh that might have trouble now coming to India.
36:14So, let's say you have the Commonwealth Games here.
36:16If the Commonwealth Board decides that, you know, India cannot hold the Commonwealth Games, that's another matter.
36:20True.
36:21If they decide India is going to have the Commonwealth Games, as it has been decided.
36:24Now, will Bangladesh's stance remain the same, not coming to India?
36:28Will the security concerns remain the same, that they will not come to India?
36:31And we'll be tracking the story very closely.
36:33You know, I want to thank my guests from Bangladesh and India for joining me.
36:36But do keep in mind, it's the International Cricket Council, the ICC, that categorically told the Bangladesh Cricket Board 14-2
36:45that a domestic league match had no bearing on an ICC tournament.
36:50Never told this almost in as many words, Bangladesh Cricket Board was given an off-ramp.
36:55And yet, we're in this situation.
36:57We'll be tracking that story very closely.
36:59I want to thank all my guests.
37:00There's another big story.
37:02And this is where it's a huge loss of face for Pakistan, if it had any face left anyways.
37:07You know, from all the grand promises of peace to hard questions about the credibility.
37:11There's a new global initiative on Gaza that's already sparking affairs battle and debate.
37:16U.S. President Donald Trump launched the Board of Peace, projecting it to be the platform that will shape Gaza's future once the guns fall silent.
37:24But watch these images.
37:26You had Pakistan's Prime Minister Shabazz Sharif there.
37:30When they're talking about reconstruction of Gaza, well, Pakistan's participation is already raising eyebrows.
37:36We'll get you more in this report.
37:39Please welcome the Chairman of the Board of Peace, the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump.
37:52With cameras rolling and the world watching, former U.S. President Donald Trump unveils what he calls the Gaza Board of Peace.
38:01A high profile signing ceremony is being built as a road map to end the war and rebuild Gaza.
38:08It's going to be a great plan and that's where the Board of Peace really started.
38:13And I think we can spread out to other things as we succeed with Gaza.
38:17We're going to be very successful in Gaza.
38:20It's going to be a great thing to watch.
38:23And we can do other things.
38:25We can do numerous other things.
38:27Once this Board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do.
38:30And we'll do it in conjunction with the United Nations, you know.
38:33The Board brings together fewer than 20 countries, combining Middle Eastern nations with global players.
38:40Among them are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Israel.
38:47An optics heavy movement.
38:50Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif joins the peace board despite Islamabad having no diplomatic ties with Israel
38:57and a long history of championing the Palestinian cause.
39:01Some call it diplomacy.
39:03Others call it irony.
39:05That irony deepens with Israel's inclusion.
39:08Israel, the central party to the Gaza war, now sits on a board meant to deliver peace and reconstruction
39:15in the very territory it destroyed.
39:17Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was notably absent from the signing ceremony.
39:23Then comes Moscow.
39:25Russian President Vladimir Putin says the country could send US $1 billion to Trump's Board of Peace.
39:32We are ready to send $1 billion from the funds frozen in the United States under the previous administration
39:41to this new structure, the Board of Peace.
39:44First and foremost in order to support the Palestinian people and use these funds for reconstruction of Gaza
39:49and solution for Palestine's problems.
39:51I think this is quite possible.
39:53We used to discuss such options earlier with members of the American administration
39:57and today we plan to discuss this issue at a meeting in Moscow.
40:01And while peace is discussed in boardrooms, war continues on the ground.
40:12Even as the board takes shape, Israeli strikes hit Lebanon, keeping the region on edge.
40:19A board for peace packed with contradictions.
40:23Big promises, familiar faces and a region still burning.
40:28Bureau Report, India Today.
40:32From the Ghats of Prayagraj to the political battlefield in Uttar Pradesh.
40:36Religion and politics have collided over a Ganga snan.
40:40Shankracharya, Avi Mukteswaranand Saraswati skipped the Mounia Mavasya snan,
40:45citing lack of respect and violation of protocol
40:48and that triggered a major battle during the Mag Mela between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP.
40:54He's now also decided to skip the Basan Panchmi snan tomorrow is what we are being told.
40:59The Samajwadi Party has accused the Yogi Adityanath government of targeting the Shankracharya
41:04and politicizing a sacred ritual.
41:07Today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit back,
41:10warning against the Kalnemi-like forces trying to weaken the Sanatan Dharm from within.
41:18A remark that's now sparked off another round of political slugfest.
41:23Samaj Shivastav and Santosh Sharma with this report.
41:26Satsar Farooj Rattava,美容 and the Angera Dharani
41:41Social Security during the travel of Sanatan Dharm.
41:44Is there the importance of choosing the Sanatan Dharm,
41:48From the guards of Prayagraj to the political stage of Uttar Pradesh, religion and politics collide.
42:05Shankaracharya Avimukteswar Anand Saraswati did not take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, citing lack of respect and protocol.
42:18Samajwadi Party accuses the Yogi Government of targeting the Shankaracharya and politicizing a sacred ritual.
42:48Mokhi Manteleevsky had a strong warning against what he described as kalnemi-like elements,
42:55CM Yogi Adityanath issued a strong warning against what he described as Kalanemi-like elements attempting to weaken Sanatandhar.
43:25The warning, delivered at a religious gathering in Haryana, lands squarely in Prayagraj.
43:55The Magmela Fair Administration denies wrongdoing.
44:07The Shankaracharya's camp rejects the charges.
44:10As saints enter politics and politics enters faith, the battle over the Gangasnan turns into a full-blown political storm.
44:21With Samarth Srivastava and Santosh Sharma, Bureau Report, India Today.
44:40Samajwadi Party, Shantanu Gupta, who is the Chief Minister pointing to when he says,
44:45Dharam ke khilaaf Aacharanh joo karta hai, kiunki aise loog Kalanemi hoonge,
44:50Jho dharam ki aad mein, Sanatandhar ko kamzor karne ki saazish rach rahe hai, unseh satark hoona hooga.
44:55So who's he referring to here?
44:57Gaurav, that I'm not sure.
45:01That we have to check with Yogi Etnath, whom he's referring to.
45:03But he's generally referring to all the Kalanemis who are available in society.
45:08And Yogi Etnath government from last nine years is very hard on them.
45:11Be it mafias, outside or inside political parties like Samajwadi Party.
45:16You know the kinds of Atik Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari and Azamgarh.
45:19They are where they should be.
45:21So he must be referring to various Kalanemis in society.
45:23Is there a specific reference to those who are at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj?
45:30The allegations are, why would, as you know, the Samajwadi Party Chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Aadar puts it,
45:38a notice be sent to, you know, Swami Avimukteshwar Anand.
45:42Why would he be prevented from doing the Shahisnan or the Gangasnan?
45:47So that's why I'm saying what Yogi Etnath is referring, I think one can only ask him.
45:51But now you're bringing the topic of that Swami Avimukteshwar Anandji is not allowed to do, as you are claiming.
46:00I think, as I understand, on the day of Mauniyamavasya, and Gaurav, I'm sure you remember,
46:04during the Mahakumbh in Mauniyamavasya, the incident happened.
46:08So administration was super, super alert for the Mauniyamavasya.
46:11We all know Mauniyamavasya, the kind of crowds now these days, since Yogi Etnath is the Chief Minister,
46:16it gets because of the kind of facilities Prayag Raj is giving to all the Shraddhaloos, right?
46:21So seeing that, just 50 meters away from the Gaur, they requested that,
46:25can you come around the Rath, can you just walk down?
46:27And all the other Swamis, they just walked down.
46:30And they also said, because your title of Shankaracharya is debated,
46:34so we can't give you, offer the protocol.
46:38And Samt is anywhere, Suhat Subhav, right?
46:40He could have just walked there.
46:42And what interaction, what inter, like the ruckus happened there,
46:46it should be, should be, should be checked and should be inquired.
46:49If police has done anything which they should not have done,
46:52I'm sure they should be put to task also.
46:54Ghansham Tiwari now joins me on this broadcast,
46:56because Ghansham Tiwari,
46:58Samajwadi Party is being accused of political games.
47:02BJP says Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav,
47:05had ordered a lati charge on the same Swami Avi Mukteswaranand
47:09in Varanasi in 2015, during the Ganesh Visarjan program.
47:13Swami Avi Mukteswaranand, along with other seers,
47:15were protesting against the government,
47:17stonewalling the visarjan of Ganesh idols in Ganga at that time.
47:20So if that action was justified then,
47:23how is this action not justified now?
47:25When the BJP claims, like you heard even earlier,
47:29that the title of Shankaracharya is also in question.
47:36Good evening, Garo, to you,
47:37the fellow panelists Shantanu and the dear viewers.
47:41There are three important aspects to it.
47:43One is the word Kalnemi.
47:44Where does it come from?
47:45Kalnemi was a demon.
47:47And clearly, here, Adityanath,
47:50by the way, his introduction,
47:52before 2017 becoming the chief minister,
47:55section 147, section 153A, section 295,
47:58section 297, section 436, section 506, section 188,
48:03and section 307, attempt to murder.
48:05This is the introduction of Mr. Adityanath.
48:07Now, with respect to the Kalnemi,
48:10he calls the respectable Shankaracharya Ji,
48:13who supported Narendra Mohdiji in 2014.
48:17What has he done?
48:18He has criticized the heritage destruction in Karshi
48:20between 2018 to 2021.
48:22This is the Kalnemi or Shankaracharya Ji,
48:24depending on whether you are BJP,
48:25then Shankaracharya Ji is Kalnemi,
48:27or whether you are normal Indian,
48:28where Shankaracharya Ji is Shankaracharya Ji.
48:31He campaigned for Ganga and cow protection.
48:33He spoke to the central government
48:35to accelerate their campaigns for Ganga and cow protection.
48:38He called upon Modi government
48:40to increase their clean Ganga initiatives.
48:43He criticized Mr. Adityanath
48:44for destruction of temples
48:46across various corridors
48:47that they were trying to build.
48:49He created a Mandir Bachah Andolan in 2018,
48:52and he spoke about Kumbh Mela management.
48:56When people died in this man-made disaster
48:59in Kumbh Mela recently,
49:01did this government ever give
49:02the number of deaths?
49:03No.
49:04Just like today,
49:05they were showering petals,
49:07while people were still dying,
49:09they were showering petals.
49:10So we have an arrogant person
49:13as chief minister,
49:15who some people call as saint,
49:17but his own track record
49:18doesn't record that.
49:20And we have a Shankaracharya,
49:21who is a Shankaracharya,
49:22but this government is so arrogant
49:24that for them,
49:25there are only two Shankaracharyas left in India.
49:27One is Narendra Modi ji,
49:29and the other is Adityanath.
49:30There is nobody else who is Shankaracharya.
49:31So I want to bring in Shantanu Gupta
49:34once again into this conversation.
49:36Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Adeph
49:38has accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government
49:41of targeting certain religious heads,
49:44breaking the tradition of the Sanatana dharm.
49:47Congress again hit out
49:48at the Bharatiya Janata party
49:50for what it's describing
49:51as a mistreatment of a Shankaracharya,
49:54a notice being given,
49:56you know, pasted at his place.
49:59In your view, sir,
50:00is that incorrect?
50:02And in case,
50:03his being a Shankaracharya is being questioned,
50:05you just heard the Samajwadi Party spokesperson
50:07questioning,
50:08why is the chief minister called yogi
50:10before Adityanath?
50:12So let me explain both the points
50:16to your viewers.
50:18Gansham is trying to totally mislead your viewers.
50:20So let me explain
50:21why the title of Shankaracharya,
50:23Swami Abhimuktesharanand ji,
50:25is disputed.
50:26So his guru,
50:27Swami Sarupanand ji,
50:29when he died,
50:29he did not did a proper will,
50:31a written will,
50:32right?
50:32So Swami Abhimuktesharanand ji
50:34claimed that he's the Uttaradhikari,
50:36right?
50:36When his Pattabhishek was happening,
50:39Govardhan Pete Swamiji
50:40put an affidavit
50:41that I'm contesting this.
50:42So the matter went to the court
50:44in 2020.
50:45In 2022,
50:46two judgments,
50:47one is Mr. Govai
50:48and B.B. Nagarathana,
50:49Mr. Govai,
50:50which was a CGI recently,
50:52they passed a judgment
50:53that this title is not proper
50:55and Pattabhishek cannot be done.
50:56So that's the first thing
50:57that his formal Pattabhishek
50:59never happened.
51:00Second thing,
51:00all the three Pithams
51:02has to endorse it.
51:04All the three Pithams
51:05equivocally
51:05have not endorsed it,
51:07right?
51:08So title disputed,
51:09Pattabhishek not happened,
51:10all the three Muts
51:11have not agreed
51:12unanimously
51:13that he's the
51:14Shankaracharya
51:15of Jyotir Mutt.
51:17That's why it's contested.
51:18It's as plain and simple.
51:20In fact,
51:20what Swami Abhimuktesharanand
51:22should go,
51:22he should like
51:23go back to the court
51:24and get the title cleared
51:26if it's clear.
51:28So that's the dispute
51:28that everyone should understand.
51:30But the Samajwadi Party
51:31contests the Chief Minister
51:32using the title
51:33Yogi
51:34since he's also
51:35in politics, sir.
51:37Yeah.
51:37So,
51:38Yogi Atenath's guru
51:40Mehent Avedanath
51:41was five times MLA
51:43and three times MP,
51:44right?
51:44And his Dada guru
51:45Swami
51:46Mehent
51:47Digvajanath
51:48was also
51:48three times MP.
51:49it's a tradition
51:50in the
51:52Mata
51:52that they are
51:53in
51:53Mata service
51:54also,
51:55they are in
51:55spirituality also,
51:56they are in
51:57public service
51:57also through politics.
51:59Swami
51:59Yogi Atenath ji
52:01who was
52:01Ajay Singh Bist
52:02before Sanyas,
52:03he took Sanyas
52:04in 1994
52:05and he was
52:06chosen as
52:07the Mehent
52:07elect
52:07right?
52:08For
52:08Gorakhnat
52:09Peet.
52:10And it's
52:10only in
52:112014
52:11when
52:12Mehent
52:12Avedanath
52:13died,
52:13he was
52:14anointed as
52:15and he was
52:15in the
52:16formal
52:16Patta
52:17Bigeshakam
52:17and he
52:18became
52:18the
52:18last
52:1932nd
52:19that I
52:20have
52:20on this
52:20part
52:21of the
52:21show
52:21Ghansham
52:21Tiwari
52:22the
52:22Mela
52:23administration
52:23insists
52:24like
52:24both of
52:25you
52:25had
52:25pointed
52:25out
52:26what
52:26had
52:26happened
52:26during
52:27Magmela
52:27during
52:28the
52:28Mahakomb
52:29devotees
52:29lost
52:30their
52:30lives
52:30this
52:31time
52:31at
52:32Magmela
52:32Shankaracharya
52:33Abhimukteswaranand
52:34wanted to
52:35ride on
52:35his
52:36chariot
52:36as the
52:37administration
52:37puts
52:38it
52:38Palki
52:38as he
52:39puts
52:39it
52:39through
52:39a
52:39restricted
52:40route
52:40near
52:40a
52:41pontoon
52:41bridge
52:41the
52:42administration
52:42says
52:43without
52:43administrative
52:44clearance
52:45sir
52:45isn't
52:46the
52:46security
52:46of
52:47the
52:47devotees
52:47more
52:48important
52:48than
52:49a
52:49seer
52:49especially
52:50after
52:50the
52:50disaster
52:51in
52:51Mahakomb
52:51last
52:52time
52:52two
52:53brief
52:53points
52:53one
52:54thing
52:54that
52:54my
52:54friend
52:54failed
52:55to
52:56mention
52:56is
52:56the
52:56blood
52:57relationship
52:57distant
52:58blood
52:58relationship
52:59between
52:59Yogi
53:00Adityanath
53:01and
53:01Mahant
53:01Abhim
53:02There is
53:02not
53:02I
53:04asked
53:05you
53:05a
53:05specific
53:06question
53:06because
53:10I
53:11have
53:11only
53:1130
53:11seconds
53:11left
53:12on
53:12the
53:12broadcast
53:12so
53:13I
53:13have
53:13asked
53:13you
53:13a
53:13specific
53:14question
53:14safety
53:15of
53:15seers
53:16more
53:16important
53:16or
53:16safety
53:17of
53:17the
53:17devotees
53:17more
53:17important
53:18So
53:19how
53:19is
53:19the
53:19arrogant
53:20UP
53:20government
53:21led
53:22by
53:22a
53:23yogi
53:23whose
53:23track
53:24record
53:24doesn't
53:24describe
53:25a
53:25yogi
53:25what
53:26does
53:26they
53:26do
53:26they
53:27brutally
53:28assault
53:29the
53:29shishya
53:29of
53:29Shankaracharya
53:30and
53:31then
53:31they
53:31come
53:31up
53:31with
53:32argument
53:32that
53:32how
53:32Shankaracharya
53:33is
53:33not
53:33a
53:34Shankaracharya
53:34in
53:41there's
53:41brutality
53:42everywhere
53:42there's
53:42brutality
53:43with
53:43women
53:43Sir
53:43safety
53:44of
53:44devotees
53:44first
53:45or
53:46a
53:46Shankaracharya
53:47first
53:47especially
53:48after the
53:49disaster
53:49that had
53:50taken
53:50place
53:51should
53:51a
53:51seer
53:52on
53:52a
53:52chariot
53:52or
53:53a
53:53palki
53:53have
53:54the
53:54right
53:54of
53:54way
53:55or
53:55should
53:55the
53:55devotees
53:56have
53:56the
53:56right
53:57of
53:57way
53:57I
53:57leave
53:58our
53:58viewers
53:58to
53:59decide
53:59that
53:59but
53:59Ghansham
54:00Tiwari
54:01and
54:01Shantanu
54:02Gupta
54:02for
54:02joining
54:03me
54:03here
54:03on
54:03India
54:03First
54:04as
54:04always
54:04gentlemen
54:05many
54:05thanks
Comments