So is India safe to tour or is it just a media beat-up?

[jeevan]

If, as people are seeming to be inclined to think now, this threat was not credible - what do you think ought to be the consequences for Syed Saleem Shahzad?

All of this brouhaha has been caused by one report from him, allegedly on the basis of an email sent to him. He's guilty, at the very least, of insufficient due diligence and at the worst of complicity in fanning public fear. If he was unsure of the credulity of this email, he or his publisher ought to have approached the Indian govt prior to publishing it, and at least including their assesment. There is freedom of speech, but shouting "fire" in a crowded stadium is not covered by it (and is a pretty close analogy to the present case).

My own opinion is that IPL, being a private entity with sufficient resources, ought to go after either him or his publication with a civil suit claiming damages. No need for the heavier hand of state.

 

[AaronK]

It seems to please some people that Modi is not being helpful with this issue.

Ravi Bepara is an odd case.. Isn't he from indian anncestary?

 

[Langeveldt]

Interesting thread, but you can't base an argument for going by saying things like "But I would go to India" - You wouldn't have a entourage, or be representing a country that likes bombing weaker countries.. Blending in would be infinitely easier..

 

[honestbharani]

What do you mean by "representing a country that likes bombing weaker countries"?

 

[Craig]

It was more about an attempt to have a say in IPL's functioning frankly. As I said before they had no business or jurisdiction in asking Modi to "share" security preparations with them.

Well no players = equals no IPL. Well, it could exist, just without all the good players and then competition would be worthless.

 

[pasag]

Crowds will still come to see Sachin and Dhoni and Yuvraj et al.

 

[Langeveldt]

What do you mean by "representing a country that likes bombing weaker countries"?

Or being lapdogs for bigger nations that love it even more.. I'm referring to the UK's recent activities in the middle east, and the fact that representing England may not endear ones self to the more radical elements on the subcontinent.. Whereas if you go as a tourist on holiday you can I guess still be a target, but a less conspicuous one..

 

[honestbharani]

Or being lapdogs for bigger nations that love it even more.. I'm referring to the UK's recent activities in the middle east, and the fact that representing England may not endear ones self to the more radical elements on the subcontinent.. Whereas if you go as a tourist on holiday you can I guess still be a target, but a less conspicuous one..

Fair enough.. totaly misunderstood your post at first. Mods, sorry abt the reporting...


But to be serious, here in India at least, I get the feeling the first motivation for these terrorist outfits would be to alieanate India.. The sportsmen are soft targets as all it takes is one announcement to set the cat amongs the pigeons. Not that there is anything wrong with being alarmed, but it is juz the sad state of affairs right now that one call or statement can have such an effect... These guys target India because they know the more India grows in importance around the world, the more of a threat it is for them...

 

[Langeveldt]

We've got the same issues in South Africa.. Is it safe to watch the Soccer World cup this year? It's impossible to tell really until it's too late..But rest assured everyone has an opinion on the matter, and it's always the right one.. We've never had any issues with safety surrounding sporting events here, and terrorism basically doesn't exist.. But crime does, and I'd be more inclined to spend time at the IPL than the soccer world cup.. If you create an oppertunity for someone to cause harm they will take it.. I guess the primary issue would be transport to and from the stadia in India, as we found out in Pakistan last year..

 

[ret]

More important is how the security level is in India. I am pretty confident that Ind has the ability to provide some of the best security in the world. Despite that one should also understand that it is difficult to stop someone who is hell bent on causing destruction

Now it's up to the players to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether they want to place their confidence in Ind's security or they want to stay away and guide their life based on such threats. I am sure thousands of Indian cricket fans, along with Indian players, would be flocking to the staduims

 

[Sir Alex]

Bopara and Lee to arrive tomorrow. - Modittwer.

 

[silentstriker]

Frankly, it's hardly 'guiding your life based on such threats'. If I was a random visitor, I'd go to India without a second thought. If I was a high target person, like an athelete, I'd definitely think twice and only go if my security guy gives the clearance.

 

[SJS]

I dont want to get into this argument but want to make a related point.

When someone says a country is safe (and it actually is) that does not mean a terrorist act can not ever take place.

On the other hand if someone says a country is extremely dangerous (and it is) it does not mean any sportsman that visits that country is going to become a victim of a terrorist attack.

I know this sounds too obvious a thing to even need to be mentioned but it is amazing how many arguments on threads such as this one seem to ignore this 'obvious' fact.

 

[ret]

Frankly, it's hardly 'guiding your life based on such threats'. If I was a random visitor, I'd go to India without a second thought. If I was a high target person, like an athelete, I'd definitely think twice and only go if my security guy gives the clearance.

But same threat applies to Indian athletes, doesn't it? And also those at the stadiums unless the terrorist are only going to strike at foreign athletes, in which case I don't see how the threat is against Ind. Just keep foreigners away and there wouldn't be attacks!

I hope that this is not a case of those who should be worried more not worrying and those who shouldn't be worrying that much worrying

 

[silentstriker]

But same threat applies to Indian athletes, doesn't it?

No, you are a higher value target as a foreigner. That's obviously the case in any country. Look at attacks in Mumbai, it creates a bigger international incident when foreigners are involved, that's why they are often specifically targeted.

 

[ret]

No, you are a higher value target as a foreigner. That's obviously the case in any country. Look at attacks in Mumbai, it creates a bigger international incident when foreigners are involved, that's why they are often specifically targeted.

As I said in my last post, it's not as if only foreigners would get attacked, Indians would too. And even if we don't have any foreigners coming in, the threat would still be there. And it would be for any tourney be it the hockey WC, the Ind-SA series, etc. If they are tagerting IPL, then that's the threat against IPL and not just foreigners, despite them being whatever level target, as seen from threat level to those playing in hockey WC, Ind-SA series

It's up to the foreigners to decide how much confidence they have in Ind's security arrangments. (if they are not then they are free to not come. It's nothing against them. But lets not forget those Ind players and fans who wuld be going to the stadiums). Because at the end of the day, that's what matters. Even an irrate fan can cause attacks even when there is no terrorist threats, while a good security can handle worse terrorist attacks

Looking at how Palestinians are able to carry out attacks in Israel, which probably has the best system to fight them in the world. It's difficult to be 100% safe

 

[four_or_six]

Looks as though, finally, everyone is back on the same page. Great news.

BBC Sport - Cricket - Indian Premier League player boycott fears are allayed

 

[Sanz]

As I said in my last post, it's not as if only foreigners would get attacked, Indians would too. And even if we don't have any foreigners coming in, the threat would still be there. And it would be for any tourney be it the hockey WC, the Ind-SA series, etc. If they are tagerting IPL, then that's the threat against IPL and not just foreigners, despite them being whatever level target, as seen from threat level to those playing in hockey WC, Ind-SA series

It's up to the foreigners to decide how much confidence they have in Ind's security arrangments. (if they are not then they are free to not come. It's nothing against them. But lets not forget those Ind players and fans who wuld be going to the stadiums). Because at the end of the day, that's what matters. Even an irrate fan can cause attacks even when there is no terrorist threats, while a good security can handle worse terrorist attacks

Looking at how Palestinians are able to carry out attacks in Israel, which probably has the best system to fight them in the world. It's difficult to be 100% safe

The point is the threat is much more for them in India than that is in their own country, both on and off the field.

Indian fans by virtue of living in their country don't have that choice, they are already under that threat at least off the field.

 

[ret]

The point is the threat is much more for them in India than that is in their own country, both on and off the field.

Indian fans by virtue of living in their country don't have that choice, they are already under that threat at least off the field.

That's why I said they have to evaluate pros and cons and go by how much confidence they have in Indian security arrangements. Once they come here, they are on the same boat as the Indians, who I guess are eager to play and watch the IPL

I don't see how Indians don't have a choice as not every Indian lives in IPL centers. (and its not like the whole Ind is under threat). If someone from a non IPL venue goes to catch a game at the stadium, he is probably taking similar risk

And the threat includes the hockey WC that's in action right now. In short, the world doesn't stop

 

[Kensashi]

I dont want to get into this argument but want to make a related point.

When someone says a country is safe (and it actually is) that does not mean a terrorist act can not ever take place.

On the other hand if someone says a country is extremely dangerous (and it is) it does not mean any sportsman that visits that country is going to become a victim of a terrorist attack.

I know this sounds too obvious a thing to even need to be mentioned but it is amazing how many arguments on threads such as this one seem to ignore this 'obvious' fact.

Yeah and that's the same mentality with which the Sri Lankan team left for Pakistan not so long ago.....