“No Cricket, No Bollywood With Pakistan”: Gautam Gambhir Demands Total Ban After Terror Attack

India captain Gautam Gambhir demanded a total ban on all contacts with Pakistan, including but not limited to cricket series, Bollywood films and cultural festivals, after the terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22 at the Baisaran meadow in the Pehelgam area of Kashmir.

Past Cricketing Relations Between India and Pakistan

India have cut bilateral cricketing relations with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It resumed for one three-match ODI series in India in 2012, but since then they only meet at multi-team tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC competitions (World Cups and Champions Trophies). At an ABP gathering, Gambhir stated that even that must stop.

Gambhir says “No Interaction More Important Than Lives of Our People”

“My personal answer to this, is absolutely no. This is my personal answer, ultimately this is government’s decision, and ultimately, government will decide, whether we play Pakistan, or we don’t play Pakistan, but for me, I have said this before, and many years ago, I had said this, that no cricket match, no Bollywood movie, no artist, any kind of interaction is more important than the lives of our people. No interaction is more important than the lives of our people, than the lives of our youth, than the lives of our people. Matches will keep happening, movies will keep being made, singers will keep singing, but the person whose family is lost, nothing bigger than that. This is my personal opinion, that till all this doesn’t stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan,” Gambhir said.

India’s Diplomatic Response to Terror Attack

Following the horrific terror attack that sent the whole country into shock. Innocent tourists were shot dead in daylight. India declared a number of steps against Pakistan. These included suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Closure of the sole land border crossing at Attari. And diplomatic downgrading in light of cross-border connections to the attack. Among other steps, India also suspended the social media accounts of prominent Pakistani actors and sportspersons.

Asked directly if India was going to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup this year or the T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year, Gambhir put the responsibility on the BCCI and the government.

“Let the Government Decide” Gambhir on Future Matches

“Playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup or T20 World Cup is not up to me. Honestly, this is not even in my jurisdiction. I think it is up to BCCI and more importantly, it is up to the government to decide whether India plays Pakistan or not, so whatever decision, government makes, I think we should be absolutely fine with it and we should not politicise that. Whatever the government decides, let’s stick to that.”

India-Pakistan Games to Remain at Neutral Venues

The next multilateral competition that India and Pakistan can feature in is the Asia Cup in September. The tournament calendar has not yet been decided, but India and Pakistan are valued members of the Asian Cricket Council.

In the Champions Trophy, India featured in all their matches in Dubai and not in the hosting nation, Pakistan, due to security fears.

As a part of a deal among the BCCI, the Pakistan Cricket Board, and the ICC, India-Pakistan games in ICC tournaments will be held in a neutral venue until the 2027 cycle.