Gujarat cricket matches fuel riot fears

New Delhi, October 16: India and West Indies play three one-day internationals in Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Baroda on November 12, 15 and 18. On the face of it, that's a cricket fest for Gujarat, but think again. On those three days, for the first time since the riots, Hindus and Muslims will share a confined public space. The stadiums hold between 20,000 and 40,000 people.

The Modi government is determined to host the matches: if all goes well, then the situation in Gujarat might be certified as 'normal'. But there's another view: that the state hasn't yet recovered enough.

The government has assured organising associations that the games will pass without a hitch.

Yet, this is what Ahmedabad police commissioner K.R. Kaushik had to tell Hindustan Times: "While we don't fear a quarrel between Hindus and Muslims, even a small incident in a crowd of that size could spark a riot. It would have been better if the matches had been avoided. It's going to be very challenging. We'll have to do our best, call it a burden or anything else …"

Kaushik is not the only one who is worried. NGOs and relief camp workers who saw the riots feel it's insane to hold cricket matches in the state now.

M.K. Jowhar of the Society for Rational Action said holding the matches would be "both stupid and barbaric".

His views were echoed by Prakash Shah of the Movement for Secular Democracy, Harinesh Pandya of Janpath, which has been working with riot victims, and social activist Sophiya Khan. Jowhar and Pandya both felt the matches should be boycotted. Said Ishaq, who used to work at the Shah Alam relief camp: "Even today there was a small bomb blast in Behrampura. People are still suffering, how can we just hold matches?"

State Home Minister Gordhanbhai Zadaphiya, however, said "there was no problem" in holding the matches. "Navratri passed off peacefully proving Gujarat is peaceful. Akshardham was just an incident; no one needs worry and the government will ensure nothing will happen."

Besides, there's something that the government and the organisers seem to be counting on. As one official put it: "Many devout Muslims may not come as they will be breaking the Ramzan fast around the time the matches will end."

Security, nevertheless, will be as tight as possible. Closed-circuit cameras will constantly focus on the stands, and police will detain all "suspicious-looking people", said an official. In Rajkot, no food packets will be allowed in the stands, and in Baroda, no parking within 100 m of the stadium will be permitted.

Cricket officials seemed to be buying Zadaphiya's assessment of safety. "We will have no problems," said Gujarat Cricket Association's Vikram Patel from Ahmedabad. Another official promised: "Everyone is welcome for the matches. Even those who come wearing skullcaps will not be discriminated against."