Abhinandan Spoof: Rivalry steps into line of war amidst cricket world cup heat [Opinion article]

Abhinandan Spoof: Rivalry steps into line of war after a Pakistani channel launched a video of Wg Cdr Abhinandan’s look-a-like’s video.

Sports is an escape from the toxicity spread by the political misdoings, and what could be a better example than India Vs Pakistan matches, easing down the hate.

Earlier, the enmity used to be toned down into a rivalry, when media, instead of covering guns on border reported the heroics of cricket bats, while hitting the balls over the boundaries. Surely, India and Pakistan share a never ending bond of cricket.

However, the impact of recent events of friction have surely engulfed the game, as it has been politicized more than ever, while the words of hate are being spewed through this game.

One of the most enjoyable sights amidst this rivalry is the banter between both the sides. Both the teams are easily able to incite the raw emotions before and during the match, as the players used to sledge each other in a mix of Hindi and Urdu.

The same heritage shared by both the nations make things even more funnier, when few things on the field can only be related by the people of these two nations.

The banter between the two sides raised levels, when Star Network started mocking Pakistan while releasing ‘mauka-mauka’ ad, based on their failure of winning against India in any world cup tournament, since its inception.

It made a huge impact across the two nations, as it gave birth to years of quality banter between the two sides, while they boasted their significant achievements, and creativity rose to another level.

However, since past few occasions, the expression posed by the both sides have become a subject of hatred and war-mongering. It is no more treated as a special game between the two nations with a similar past.

The footage released by a Pakistani television channel Jazz Tv of Wing Commander Abhinandan Singh’s look-a-like with same mustache has caused a stir online. Even though, the scripting sounds funny but considering it is based on a conflict, it is disturbing.

It can be seen that it has recreated the interrogation of the Air-force pilot, which went viral after he was captured by the Pakistani forces.

The video certainly glorifies an act of conflict, amidst a cricket game, it certainly normalizes the inclusion of war, which is appalling to watch.

Same is in the case of India, as it tried to boycott Pakistan’s cricket team in the on-going ICC World Cup after the Pulwama attack, as Indian cricketing board reportedly tried to exploit the tournament through its hegemony.

Although, BCCI were not successful in their attempts, but considering it achieved a huge support from the Indian masses is also saddening. It further thwarts any scope of harmony among the people through this game.

The leadership of two nations have done more harm than good to the most intense cricketing rivalry. It would be better if the fine line between the rivalry and hostility is maintained.