Theoretically, Officially

Consider this, an Indian official gave a statement saying that India's tour of Pakistan scheduled for 2009 Jan might be scrapped because of the security situation. He went on to say that not a scratch can be tolerated on a player like Sachin Tendulkar. So what about the rest of the squad question people of our eminent press? A very irresponsible comment if you ask them. Well it is a irresponsible comment, but not as irresponsible as what our press has become.

Also to be noted is that this statement comes a day after Javed Miandad, PCB's newly appointed director-general expressed desire about ICL and IPL settling their differences and ICL players being allowed into national teams. I am not advocating that we send Indian team to Pakistan - in fact I would prefer if we don't send a team in January, given the situation. I am just saying that ICL issue shouldn't influence BCCI in taking cricketing decisions which will affect the game in the longer run. I am not a fan of ICL - one Indian league is enough and the one which has the cream of the world is what I will follow.

Getting back to the statement made, in a democratic nation one life is as precious as another - theoretically, officially. Again, it is true that higher ranked and elected officials are provided much (MUCH) more protection than a commoner gets, but that is because they hold responsible positions in service of the country and its people - theoretically, officially. Given that so much of our system of governance is chaotic, still ours is a functioning democracy. Theoretically and officially only the best of us are elected to responsible positions. Theoretically and officially, we all are equals. Perhaps the officials statement is a true expression of the state of our democracy - where security of the commoner is a privilege not a guarantee.

Alas that official wasn't correct, neither theoretically, nor officially. And again it is true that there is a gulf between a Sachin and a Murali Vijay - both are national players; meant both aren't commoners. I agree that the statement which was made was wrong, a Murali Vijay is as precious to our country as a Sachin when it comes to life. Then so are those of the 1.13 billion people of India - their lives should also be precious.

Cry out aloud when ever a life is threatened, not just when the famous and the rich and the powerful are in peril.