BJP’s Faux Patriotism Exposed in Cricket
• Ashish Shelar Joins Forces with Pakistan’s Nakvi
• BJP’s Nationalism Bowled Out by Cricket Politics
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
With bold slogans like “One is safe, if united…” and “Hindus are in danger…” the BJP, which has been grabbing power while parading around with the idea of teaching Pakistan a lesson, has now crossed all limits. Ashish Shelar, the Mumbai President of the BJP and the Cultural Affairs Minister of Maharashtra, will now be seen “batting” under the leadership of Pakistani political leader Mohsin Nakvi in the Asian Cricket Council. This move has exposed the BJP’s fake nationalism, leaving them bowled out.
Mohsin Nakvi, the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was recently appointed as the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council. He officially took charge from Sri Lanka’s Shammi Silva. Meanwhile, Ashish Shelar, the former treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and a current state minister, has been elected as a member of the Asian Cricket Council. His appointment has raised questions about how he will work alongside Pakistani Nakvi. Furthermore, the question arises of how the BJP, which often pretends to be the champion of Hindutva, will work under a Muslim leader from Pakistan. BJP is now being asked why they are silent and not addressing this issue.
• How will they now face the situation?
Nakvi has stated that he aims to work with all members to take cricket in the Asian region to greater heights. This raises a question: How will the BJP, which always raises a ruckus and condemns any party supporting Muslim rights or leaders, now face the rest of the country and its opposition?
• BJP’s Double Standards and Its Impact on Indian Politics
In a stunning twist to Indian politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has found itself in a politically awkward situation. Known for its fierce rhetoric against Muslim leaders, their rights, and their interactions with other political parties, the BJP has long portrayed itself as the guardian of Hindu interests. However, recent events have left many questioning this narrative, as the BJP’s double standards are increasingly coming to light.
The BJP, which has often raised a ruckus whenever any political party spoke up for Muslim rights or met with Muslim leaders, now faces tough questions about its own contradictions. The very party that has accused others of “appeasing” Muslims and has gone on aggressive campaigns against Pakistan has been caught in situations that undermine its own claims. Critics argue that BJP’s portrayal of itself as the champion of Hindu interests is now being questioned, as its actions seem inconsistent with its loud rhetoric.
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Sprouts News brings to light a particularly troubling contradiction: while the BJP regularly criticizes the Pakistani government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself visited Pakistan in December 2016 to meet with then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. During this visit, Modi even took time to watch a cricket match between India and Pakistan with high-ranking officials, including the then-President of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Khan.
This visit, and the growing ties between BJP and leaders it once criticized, has led to some political observers questioning the authenticity of BJP’s so-called “Hindutva” agenda. BJP’s claims of defending India’s interests seem more like a political charade, particularly as the party has cozied up to political figures it once condemned.
Further complicating this issue is BJP’s past rhetoric. Ahead of the 2019 elections, the party used the tragic Pathankot attack and the deaths of soldiers as a platform to garner votes, casting itself as the protector of the nation. But in a curious turn of events, the BJP has found itself in power with the very Nitish Kumar and his JD(U.) party in Bihar, whom it once criticized by saying that celebrating his victory would lead to Pakistani fireworks.
In a particularly sharp contrast, while soldiers continue to die in clashes with Pakistan-backed militants, the BJP’s actions reveal its true face. In 2023, while Indian soldiers were martyred in attacks, the Pakistani team was welcomed with flower petals in India during the World Cup. This growing pattern of hypocrisy seems to be alienating a large portion of the BJP’s own political base.
