CRICKET in South Asia has always been more than just a sport; it is a reflection of national pride.
However, recent events suggest that the Gentleman’s Game is being used as a tool for political subjugation. The relationship between India and Bangladesh is currently facing its darkest period, moving from a close partnership to a state of high tension and mutual suspicion.
The friction became visible when the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, under pressure from the BCCI, released Bangladeshi star Mustafizur Rahman. Despite his immense talent, his removal was seen as a political message. This happened right as the political landscape in Bangladesh shifted. Following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid—a close ally of India—the new administration in Dhaka has taken a different path. The situation worsened when a Dhaka tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia. Since India is currently providing her refuge, Bangladesh feels that India is protecting a fugitive.
Moreover, the murder of activist Osman Hadi in Dhaka has sparked outrage, with many accusing Indian agencies of being involved. This follows a disturbing global pattern. India has already faced international accusations regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a failed plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in the USA. These incidents have created a narrative that India is willing to cross international borders to silence its critics, leading to grave protests against India in Bangladesh. Additionally, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has raised serious security concerns about playing in India. They are now demanding that matches be moved to neutral venues, mirroring the long-standing neutral venue policy used for Indo-Pak matches.
Security concerns of Bangladeshi players are maturely valid given the state of minorities in India. The rise of Hindutva ideology has further alienated its own people. A recent report by the India Hate Lab revealed that hate speech against minorities, particularly Muslims, is at an all-time high.
Most of these incidents are concentrated in BJP-ruled states. This atmosphere of intolerance makes Bangladeshi players and fans feel unwelcome and unsafe. When sportsmen make political statements on the field, it blurs the line between sports and propaganda, causing further division. The most heartbreaking sign of this divide is the no-handshake trend. During the Asia Cups and the women World Cup, Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. This toxic culture has now spread to Indo-Bangla matches. During the U19 World Cup match between India and Bangladesh, the captains avoided the traditional handshake, showing that the youth are also being affected by this political bitterness.
Furthermore, India’s decision to deny visas to USA cricket players of Pakistani origin for the T20 World Cup shows a pattern of exclusion. By using visas as a weapon, India is undermining the spirit of international sports. India’s current approach toward Bangladesh is seen as an attempt at regional hegemony. By combining sports boycotts, political interference, and an aggressive domestic ideology, India is pushing its neighbors away. Unless there is a shift toward respect and equality, the once-friendly Indo-Bangla ties may be permanently fractured.
—The writer is an alumnus of QAU, MPhil scholar and a freelance columnist, based in Islamabad.
