Tomorrow, on Saturday, October 14th, an important World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan will be played in Ahmedabad. This match is eagerly anticipated and will be watched with great excitement all over the cricketing world, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.
I will be supporting the Pakistan team in this match, and I know that for this choice, I may be labeled as ‘deshdrohi,’ anti-national, a traitor, and more by some Indians. However, let me explain my reasons:
- India is a much larger country with approximately 1.4 billion people, while Pakistan has a population of about 240 million. As the underdogs in this matchup, Pakistan’s team represents a smaller nation, and I typically support the underdog, as discussed in the article.
- Although India too faces many challenges, Pakistan’s current situation is notably more dire. A fascist regime has unleashed a reign of terror upon the people, resulting in approximately 10,000 arrests, torture, and imprisonment on fabricated charges following the events of May 9th (which many believe were staged). The media and judiciary have been largely silenced, and various forms of atrocities are being inflicted upon the population, leaving them living in constant fear.
- Apart from that, Pakistan is going through a terrible economic crisis, with many people even finding it difficult to get food, and the country bankrupt and its leaders going around everywhere with a begging bowl. In this situation a victory for Pakistan will cheer Pakistanis up a bit in their gloomy mood, and boost their sagging morale
- I have consistently expressed my belief that India and Pakistan are, in essence, a single nation that was divided in 1947 due to a British manipulation based on the flawed two-nation theory. However, I am convinced that they will eventually reunite in the future, much like the reunification of West and East Germany, though this reunification will take time.
- I have long been a supporter of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently held in Adiala jail in harsh conditions, confined to a small cell. Despite these challenging circumstances, he has shown remarkable courage in leading the democratic forces in Pakistan against fascist tyranny, even from his jail cell. Imran Khan is a renowned former Pakistani cricketer who captained the Pakistani team to victory in the 1992 World Cup tournament.
Therefore, I hope that the current Pakistan team wins the World Cup, brings it back to Pakistan, and presents it at the feet of Imran Khan in Adiala jail, saying, “Captain, we have brought back the Cup that you won for us in 1992.”
Read More: Where There is Oppression, There Will Be Resistance
For the aforementioned reasons, as an Indian, I will be supporting Pakistan’s victory in tomorrow’s match.
Markandey Katju is an Indian jurist and former Supreme Court judge of India who served as chairman for the Press Council of India. He has also worked as Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department.
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not represent the editorial policy or views of Global Village Space.