Cricket: Radical Hindus object to Pakistan team's India tour
World Hindu Council says India should refuse to host tour until 26/11 masterminds brought to justice.
NEW DELHI:
Radical Hindu groups on Friday demanded the cancellation of the first Pakistan cricket tour to India in five years and threatened to hold protests against the visiting side.
The influential Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) said India should refuse to host the tour until arch-rival Pakistan brought to justice the masterminds behind the Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.
"Why should we have sporting links with a country which is directing terrorism against us," VHP spokesman Prakash Sharma told AFP. "Pakistan is not even willing to accept evidence provided by India of its role."
Sharma declined to give details of any proposed protests, but security will be high for the games in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947, but their shared love of cricket will ensure huge interest on both sides of the border during the tour.
In 1999 protesters from Shiv Sena dug up the pitch in Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium to protest against a tour by Pakistan, though the game was unaffected.
Radical Hindu groups on Friday demanded the cancellation of the first Pakistan cricket tour to India in five years and threatened to hold protests against the visiting side.
The influential Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) said India should refuse to host the tour until arch-rival Pakistan brought to justice the masterminds behind the Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.
"Why should we have sporting links with a country which is directing terrorism against us," VHP spokesman Prakash Sharma told AFP. "Pakistan is not even willing to accept evidence provided by India of its role."
Sharma declined to give details of any proposed protests, but security will be high for the games in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947, but their shared love of cricket will ensure huge interest on both sides of the border during the tour.
In 1999 protesters from Shiv Sena dug up the pitch in Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium to protest against a tour by Pakistan, though the game was unaffected.