EVEN if one wants to take an absolutely liberal view in Pakistan’s move to drop pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla from a panel linked to the Kartarpur Corridor, one just cannot take it as an honest gesture. The past is full of falsity by Pakistan in many such “peace and goodwill” steps. The Kartarpur Corridor is a dangerous zone which is bound to exploit anti-India sentiments among gullible youth by pro-Khalistan leaders like Chawla. As India handed over a dossier to Pakistan that contains picture of Chawla burning the Indian flag, precious little is expected from Islamabad and the military generals in Rawalpindi headquarters. Pakistan has been using Sikh religious events to launch malicious propaganda against India. At the forefront is the US-based Sikh for Justice (SFJ) organisation which provokes pilgrims at the command of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. The group has termed Kartarpur Corridor as ‘Bridge to Khalistan’. India needs to be extremely vigilant before going ahead in the dark alley.

THE boycott threat issued by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to the organisers for 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham if shooting is not included can be termed as a limited or myopic option. Instead, as suggested by ace pistol shooter Heena Sidhu, India must put up a united front against exclusion of shooting from CWG. Indian shooters have created a niche for themselves in World Cups, CWG as well as Olympics and depriving them a chance to bring national glory in the Birmingham games reeks of a conspiracy. For, the organisers have put forth lame excuses like not having legacy in shooting and problems in having range. These are at the most frivolous arguments as makeshift ranges are built with minimal cost. An event like the CWG can easily afford some meagre expenses instead of splurging on show of pomp. India must exert pressure through all channels on the organisers to take back expulsion of shooting. Boycott will unnecessarily make other sports suffer.