Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Angry cricket fans in the GCC took to social media to criticize Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena for its efforts in disrupting peace between India and Pakistan. Instant hashtags were created to fight the hatred: #SenaAttacks, #SenaOutOfControl, and #SenaHatePolitics among many more. Shiv Sena, a hardline outfit founded by the late Bal Thackeray, has a track record of threatening Pakistani artists and athletes when it comes to engaging in arts and sports in India. "Why is there so much hate? These ignorant people negate common sense, and all efforts made through movies, music, books, art or sports by both countries. All Shiv Sena wants to do is just spread hatred and ignorance. Shame on Shiv Sena!" Ibrahim Masood, an Indian national living in Jeddah said in a Facebook post. Shiv Sena recruits stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office in Mumbai, chanting slogans against Pakistan cricket board chief Shaharyar Khan Monday. Officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were forced to put off their meeting, which was then scheduled for Delhi but did not materialize. "Sena will not allow cricket matches with Pakistan in Mumbai," said Pandurang Sakpal from Shiv Sena. However, the BJP disagreed and its chief, Raosaheb Danve said: "They are in government and yet they have a set agenda. They have done it in the past and are doing it now. BJP does not abide by the Sena's stand," he said. "Our government will provide security if a cricket match between India and Pakistan is planned in Mumbai," Danve added. "What is this India-Pakistan facade all about? We are all over it. All of us except this poisonous group that does not represent Hindus or Muslims or the Indian mindset," Hussein Abbas, a Pakistani national living in Riyadh tweeted. Aqeela Munim, an Indian national living in Jeddah, said in a Facebook post: "We want cricket and we love to watch India and Pakistan! Bring them to India — we want that competitive spirit! We are huge fans of Pakistani cricketers and they know it." "This is not a political or activist party — this sounds more like a hooligan or terrorist organization that threatens peoples lives, especially those from Pakistan. This only makes them sound like gangsters or bandits," Shaheena Iqbal, an Indian national living in Doha, told Saudi Gazette. Recently, Shiv Sena activists attacked the organizer of a launch event of a book, written by a former Pakistani minister and also got Ghulam Ali's concert canceled. "Don't they have other issues in India to fight that are not related to Pakistan?" Fathima Baig, a Pakistani national in Dubai asked on Twitter. "It feels like the Shiv Sena was born to attack, hate and breed hatred for Pakistanis. Indians know better and we believe we are the same people. We love India-Pakistan games, they are the highlight of cricket- ask anyone. We also love Pakistani music and will continue to do so," Amaan Ali, an Indian national living in Riyadh told Saudi Gazette. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also withdrew umpire Aleem Dar from the remaining matches in the ongoing India versus South Africa series.
