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Dean Jones says Shiv Sena's Bal Thackeray threat very real
REPORT (Matt Wade): A militant Hindu group in Mumbai with a history of political violence says it will not allow Australian cricketers to play in parts of the country until there is an end to attacks on Indians in Australia.
The threat, made by the powerful Shiv Sena political party, casts a shadow over the participation of Australian stars in the rich Indian Premier League, starting in early March.
Bal Thackeray, the firebrand leader of the Shiv Sena (Army of Lord Shiva), made the threat on the front page of the party's mouthpiece publication, Saamna, yesterday.
''We will not allow kangaroo cricketers to play in Mumbai till the attacks are stopped on Indians,'' he wrote.
Current Test players including Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Mike Hussey are contracted to play in the IPL, along with retired greats such as Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.
Shiv Sena activists, called Shiv Sainiks, prevented play between Pakistan and India at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in 1991 when they destroyed the pitch. Shiv Sainiks repeated the tactic in an India-Pakistan game at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi in 1999.
Shiv Sena has already issued a ban on Pakistani cricketers playing in Maharashtra, the state in western India where it is based.
''Our brave Shiv Sainiks didn't allow Pakistani players to play in India to protest against the terrorist attacks by Pakistani militants and firing in Kashmir,'' Mr Thackeray wrote.
In the 1990s, the Shiv Sena led a governing coalition in Maharashtra. The party now holds 11 seats in India's national parliament and is the one of the main opposition parties in the Maharashtra state parliament.
The Shiv Sena has also been accused of orchestrating violence against Muslims and intimidating political opponents. In November, Shiv Sena activists ransacked the Mumbai premises of two television news channels in retaliation for criticism of Mr Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena threat comes amid tension in the relationship between India and Australia following a series of violent attacks against Indians, including the murder of Nitin Garg in Melbourne this month. India's Foreign Minister, S.M. Krishna, warned on Monday that ''non-redressal of this vital issue will cast a shadow on our otherwise excellent bilateral relations''.
Mr Thackeray yesterday attacked the Indian cricket team for its willingness to play Australia. ''Our boys are being stabbed, burnt and shot at in that country and still our cricketers have no qualms in playing with them,'' he said.
''Do they have any national pride?''
Cricket Australia's head of public affairs, Peter Young, said last night all Australian players would need the usual security clearance before travelling to India.
''In terms of Australian cricketers travelling anywhere in the world, we always put safety first,'' Mr Young said.
''We take specialist advice whether it is India, South Africa, England or anywhere in the world, and that remains unchanged We have internal and external advice, our advice is very expert. Any known threat is assessed.''
Greg Shipperd, coach of Victoria and the Delhi Daredevils, expressed confidence in the security systems for previous tournaments in India.
''I'd probably like to know a bit more about [the warning]. Ever since I've been involved there has been security surrounding our team and thus far it's done its job,'' he said.
During the Champions League in October a game between Victoria and the Cape Cobras in Bangalore was delayed because of the suspected presence of explosives at the venue.
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge, who plays for Kolkata, said he was unaware of the warning. ''All I know is I get on a plane to go and play cricket and other people are in charge of security,'' Hodge said.
There are no internationals scheduled between Australia and India in India this year.
With JAMIE PANDARAM and CHLOE SALTAU
Australians contracted to IPL teams:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ricky Ponting, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mark Cameron.
Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Robert Quiney, Shaun Tait, Lee Carseldine, Shane Harwood (unavailable through injury).
Delhi Daredevils: David Warner, Moises Henriques, Andrew McDonald, Dirk Nannes, Glenn McGrath.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Cameron White, Nathan Bracken.
Chennai Super Kings: Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, George Bailey.
Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad: Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Ryan Harris.
Kings XI Punjab, Mohali: Brett Lee, James Hopes, Shaun Marsh, Burt Cockley.
REPORT (Matt Wade): A militant Hindu group in Mumbai with a history of political violence says it will not allow Australian cricketers to play in parts of the country until there is an end to attacks on Indians in Australia.
The threat, made by the powerful Shiv Sena political party, casts a shadow over the participation of Australian stars in the rich Indian Premier League, starting in early March.
Bal Thackeray, the firebrand leader of the Shiv Sena (Army of Lord Shiva), made the threat on the front page of the party's mouthpiece publication, Saamna, yesterday.
''We will not allow kangaroo cricketers to play in Mumbai till the attacks are stopped on Indians,'' he wrote.
Current Test players including Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Mike Hussey are contracted to play in the IPL, along with retired greats such as Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.
Shiv Sena activists, called Shiv Sainiks, prevented play between Pakistan and India at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in 1991 when they destroyed the pitch. Shiv Sainiks repeated the tactic in an India-Pakistan game at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi in 1999.
Shiv Sena has already issued a ban on Pakistani cricketers playing in Maharashtra, the state in western India where it is based.
''Our brave Shiv Sainiks didn't allow Pakistani players to play in India to protest against the terrorist attacks by Pakistani militants and firing in Kashmir,'' Mr Thackeray wrote.
In the 1990s, the Shiv Sena led a governing coalition in Maharashtra. The party now holds 11 seats in India's national parliament and is the one of the main opposition parties in the Maharashtra state parliament.
The Shiv Sena has also been accused of orchestrating violence against Muslims and intimidating political opponents. In November, Shiv Sena activists ransacked the Mumbai premises of two television news channels in retaliation for criticism of Mr Thackeray.
The Shiv Sena threat comes amid tension in the relationship between India and Australia following a series of violent attacks against Indians, including the murder of Nitin Garg in Melbourne this month. India's Foreign Minister, S.M. Krishna, warned on Monday that ''non-redressal of this vital issue will cast a shadow on our otherwise excellent bilateral relations''.
Mr Thackeray yesterday attacked the Indian cricket team for its willingness to play Australia. ''Our boys are being stabbed, burnt and shot at in that country and still our cricketers have no qualms in playing with them,'' he said.
''Do they have any national pride?''
Cricket Australia's head of public affairs, Peter Young, said last night all Australian players would need the usual security clearance before travelling to India.
''In terms of Australian cricketers travelling anywhere in the world, we always put safety first,'' Mr Young said.
''We take specialist advice whether it is India, South Africa, England or anywhere in the world, and that remains unchanged We have internal and external advice, our advice is very expert. Any known threat is assessed.''
Greg Shipperd, coach of Victoria and the Delhi Daredevils, expressed confidence in the security systems for previous tournaments in India.
''I'd probably like to know a bit more about [the warning]. Ever since I've been involved there has been security surrounding our team and thus far it's done its job,'' he said.
During the Champions League in October a game between Victoria and the Cape Cobras in Bangalore was delayed because of the suspected presence of explosives at the venue.
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge, who plays for Kolkata, said he was unaware of the warning. ''All I know is I get on a plane to go and play cricket and other people are in charge of security,'' Hodge said.
There are no internationals scheduled between Australia and India in India this year.
With JAMIE PANDARAM and CHLOE SALTAU
Australians contracted to IPL teams:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ricky Ponting, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mark Cameron.
Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Robert Quiney, Shaun Tait, Lee Carseldine, Shane Harwood (unavailable through injury).
Delhi Daredevils: David Warner, Moises Henriques, Andrew McDonald, Dirk Nannes, Glenn McGrath.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Cameron White, Nathan Bracken.
Chennai Super Kings: Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, George Bailey.
Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad: Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Ryan Harris.
Kings XI Punjab, Mohali: Brett Lee, James Hopes, Shaun Marsh, Burt Cockley.
