Uddhav Thackeray

For striking a discordant anti-Pak note that would embarrass India’s new Government

Even before the National Democratic Alliance Government has had a chance to take charge at the Centre, Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the alliance’s second biggest party, the Shiv Sena, has begun stirring controversy by speaking out of turn. He did no one any favours by cranking up his party’s usual anti- Pakistan rhetoric. He said that cricket matches with India’s neighbour should be called off in order to teach ‘them’ a lesson.

The Sena has a long history of sabotaging and protesting cricket matches, once even digging up a cricket pitch in Mumbai. Uddhav had also twice earlier made such a demand, once following reports of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif threatening to go to war if the Kashmir issue was not resolved soon (this was later denied by Pakistan), and the second time after two soldiers were killed along the LoC.

Such pointless fist-waving needs to change now that the Sena will be part of the Union Government. It especially embarrasses the PM- designate Narendra Modi, who recently sent a missive to Nawaz Sharif, inviting him to attend his swearing-in ceremony. Since foreign policy and diplomacy are not the Sena’s strengths, perhaps it would be best if they were tostay off this territory and leave it to Modi’s Cabinet.

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