For the sake of goodwill

Just on the eve of the Indian squad's visit when the mood of expectancy for a good treat in cricket had heightened, came a threat from the blue on the lives of Indian cricketers through a letter faxed to the Indian High Commission by a so-called Islamist outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad. While such a warning of 'dire consequences' once given, no matter how fraudulent or prankish in motivation this might have been, cannot and shouldn't be taken lightly. And Bangladesh being the host country has all the reasons to be wary of it. It's good to note that investigations by the home ministry in Bangladesh have found the threat to be a hoax and that the organisation purportedly in whose name it was issued 'did not exist on Bangladesh territory'. In fact, Dhaka has assured New Delhi of fool-proof security arrangements for the Indian cricketers during their 20-day stay in Dhaka.

A five-member security team from India consisting of high government officials and cricket board members in a pre-visit appraisal mission went round the places the Indian cricketers would be in, such as the hotels and the match venues, to satisfy themselves first-hand about the security precautions being taken for the event. We fully understand India's concern for the security of its cricket squad but would urge them not to read too much into it. After all, Bangladesh is a populous country with a democracy in which for all the good things in the world, bits and pieces of mischief-mongering couldn't also be ruled out, howsoever much the people at large detest it.

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While India's cautious approach is appreciated, and as Bangladesh responds to the situation with a high priority alert leaving nothing to chance, the visit and the matches must go on, because the fallout in emotional terms in the event those were cancelled might be difficult to live down, at least in the short run.