No Pak in IPL 3? Disgrace or Retribution?

Much furor over the supposed slight to Pakistani cricketers in the bidding process of IPL3 makes an interesting read. On one side of the divide are the proponents who claim that people to people contact across borders will help reduce tension and build bridges. Do not count me as one of the opponents yet, but I find it strange that after so many years of people to people contact, the samjhauta express and various other initiatives including the pakistani players in IPL season I & II, the supposed "reduction in tensions" could not prevent a 26/11. If what the proponents want is we continue to build bridges while Pakistan continues to chip away at the very basic fabric of our society, I beseech them to think again. The 26/11 attacks were meant to serve multiple purposes. They indiscriminately fired at people irrespective of their religion but they also targeted jews and other non-muslim communities. They let the followers of muslim faith go free in the Taj hotel while they mercilessly kill other hostages. This would have caused a chasm between the communities in India if it wasn't for the very strong disapproval of these attacks by the leaders of Islam. Clerics not only criticized the attacks but they also labeled the attacks misguided and unislamic. While all investigative reports point a finger to Pakistan, Pakistan proclaims itself also to be a victim of terrorism that they brought forth and allowed it to fester. While some in India smugly gloat over the Frankenstein phenomenon, we lose track of the apparent inaction by the Pakistani governament. They ask for understanding and patience while we keep reading of more purported attacks. And India continued to bestow MFN status to Pakistan and investing heavily in trade across the border. While all this has come to a naught in reducing tensions, let the proponents not try to convince us that by encouraging sportsmen/artists from across the border, we have a shot at long lasting peace and harmony. Let us not play ball with Pakistan (literally) while the blood of 26/11 victims is still fresh in our minds.