Goel: Terrorism and Sports Cannot Go Side-By-Side

On Saturday, Sports Minister Vijay Goel said that India cannot have a bilateral cricket series with Pakistan as it sponsors terrorism.

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The minister reportedly stated that Pakistan had crossed the "lakshmana rekha" and violated set boundaries.

"For everything, there is a lakshmana rekha," Goel told the media. "But when the line is crossed then a message has to be given. This (boycott) is a message," he added defending the policy not to have bilateral cricket series with Pakistan.

"We have clearly stated terrorism and sports cannot go side-by-side. As long as Pakistan doesn't stop cross-border terror and (instigating) trouble in Kashmir. Then there is no chance for bilateral series and also the national mood doesn't support it," Goel said.

The Sports minister declined to comment on a letter written by Ramachandra Guha – one of the four members of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators to implement the recommendations of the Justice R. M. Lodha panel to reform the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Goel stated that cricket is managed by the BCCI and he would rather not comment on cricket-related issues.

The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was played in 2012-13.