Create Cricket Craze, Control Conflict
In the face of violence, unprincipled enemies and real politics, such methods are unlikely to work. There is a need for different and innovative solutions, writes Kiran Karnik
Wars and conflicts continue to roil the world, making one wonder how much progress “civilisation” has made. The Ukraine war, fuelled by NATO arms, has Western countries determined to fight till the last Ukrainian. Israel seems insistent on bombing Gaza till it kills the last Palestinian there. Elsewhere, senseless mass killings continue. While countries talk with forked tongues, many individuals strenuously look for ways to end the many conflicts that cause so much human misery. Some offer the biblical advice: “turn the other cheek”; others suggest Gandhian non-violence and satyagraha. However, in the face of violence, unprincipled enemies, and real politics, such methods are unlikely to work. There is a need for different and innovative solutions.
Closer to home, Afghanistan has seen almost continuous conflict for five decades, interrupted by only very short periods of peace. Earlier, in the 19th century, the British and Russian empires played out the “great game” in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Then, the Soviets and Americans came (guns ablaze) and retreated (with bloody noses), but both sowed seeds that have sprouted fanaticism and ongoing conflict. Now, the Taliban rules – once again – with fatwas, archaic laws, and a centuries-old mindset.
The iron-fisted, gender-discriminatory, and suppressive Taliban regime has, however, not factored in the new great game: cricket. This sport, well-known for igniting intense passion in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has now spread its tentacles into Afghanistan and Nepal. India-Pakistan matches – now rare, and played only in third countries – are famed for the fervour they arouse in the two countries, with winning being almost as significant as in a war. Yet, even now, Virat Kohli has a huge fan following in Pakistan (where being a fan of Kohli or Dhoni is not considered anti-national).
The T20 Cricket World Cup drew an immense response in Afghanistan, as that team made its way through the preliminary matches to reach the Super 8 stage. There, they beat mighty Australia and then, in a closely fought and rain-interrupted match, full of much drama, they beat Bangladesh to reach the semi-finals. Rashid Khan and his team-mates have become national heroes, and unbelievable crowds were seen, across the country, celebrating their victories. Sadly, the team lost to South Africa in the semis, disappointing those who had hoped for a grand Afghanistan-India final.
Much credit for the popularity of cricket in Afghanistan must go to the IPL, viewing which has become a part of life for many there, as in India, due to the excitement about Afghans playing in various IPL teams. This may have done more for Indo-Afghan people-to-people relations than any Indian diplomatic overtures, or China-like investments! IPL – and the recent World Cup – has inspired millions of Afghans to take up cricket. Now, even the Taliban will not be able to prevent people from playing cricket. Soon, women’s cricket may become as unstoppable.
Here, then, is a solution for at least this conflict: more Afghans in IPL, women’s cricket in that country, and – as icing on the cake – flood that country with millions of pen drives containing Hindi movies. Taliban may survive US bombs, cross-border Pak incursions, and global lectures on the human rights of women, but there is no way the regime can overcome the “subversion” of movies and cricket.
The author loves to think in tongue-in-cheek ways, with no maliciousness or offence intended. At other times, he is a public policy analyst and author. Among his books is Decisive Decade: India 2030 Gazelle or Hippo (Rupa, 2021).
