Congress leader Bhai Jagtap has thrown his weight behind the revival of the India-Pakistan cricket showdown, terming the boycott reversal a ‘commendable move’ that prioritizes sport over strife.
From Mumbai, in a candid chat with IANS, Jagtap reiterated his long-held belief: ‘Politics has no business in sports, arts, or music. I said this during my government’s tenure, and I stand by it now.’ He questioned Pakistan’s prior avoidance of bilateral ties in cricket but praised ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s intervention. ‘World Cups have thrived without mid-tournament exits. The India-Pak game’s resumption deserves applause,’ he declared.
When pressed on Yogi Adityanath’s utterances, Jagtap demurred. ‘That’s UP’s internal dynamic. Without complete facts, it’s too sensitive for me to weigh in,’ he responded measuredly.
RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s advocacy for Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar prompted a thoughtful reply. ‘The real Bharat Ratna is the dignity of 140 crore Indians. Earlier honorees lived for the country. Savarkar’s documented critiques persist. Bhagwat, being well-informed, leads on this front,’ Jagtap opined.
On Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane targeting Salman Khan’s RSS event attendance, Jagtap pushed back. ‘Sports, film, and arts are our heritage—no room for politics. Salman or Shah Rukh face flak from those equipped with stronger comebacks,’ he asserted, calling for harmony.