- 1 year ago
The big talking point of this episode of News Today is the controversy following India's victory over Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final.
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00:01Good evening, hello and welcome. You're with the news today. This is your primetime destination. News, newsmakers, talking points and we've got plenty this Monday night to talk about. We'll be talking about just the off-field controversies that have wrecked the Asia Cup.
00:17Pakistan's minister walks away with the trophy, doesn't hand it to the Indian players. Have cricketers now become pawns in a larger political battle? Even Narendra Modi and Mohsin Nakfi are facing off. Also, among my special guests, Kapil Dev, the one and only legend of Indian cricket.
00:38Also, we'll look at that big political story. Why actor turned Neta Vijay's rally stampede? Who will be held accountable? Is the question we'll raise. Plus, plenty of ground reports, including from flood hit Maratwada.
00:54But first, as always, it's time for the nine headlines at nine tonight.
00:58The off-field controversy over the Asia Cup now blows into a major political war after India refuses to accept the trophy from Pakistan's interior minister.
01:11BCCI says it will take the matter with the ICC, bring the trophy back home. Prime Minister Modi tweets likening the cricket victory to Operation Sindur. Pakistan hits back, says India is getting desperate.
01:28An FIR is filed in the Karnoor Stampede case. But TVK Chief Vijay is not mentioned in the FIR. Two TVK leaders are arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation.
01:44Lay Apex body quits talks with the centre. Seeks apology for anti-national remark against its leaders.
01:58Centre says open to dialogue with Ladakhis at any time. Next round of talks were scheduled on October 6th.
02:05Canada lists the Lawrence Bishnoy gang as a terrorist entity. Says it's creating a climate of fear. Last year, Royal Canada Mounted Police had accused the gang of carrying out murders and shootouts on Canadian soil.
02:23The Uttarakhand paper leak protests called off after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami meets the job aspirants and promises a CBI probe into the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission paper leaks.
02:40Protests break out in Ahidya Nagar or Ahmed Nagar after I Love Mohammed graffiti appear. Roads blocked by protesters. Police resort to a lati charge. Maharashtra Chief Minister says deliberate attempt to stoke chaos.
02:57Elon Musk's social media platform to appeal against Karnataka High Court's recent order directing it to follow government takedown notices. Says they are defending the principle of free expression.
03:15US President Donald Trump now slaps 100% tariff on movies that are made outside the US as other countries stole their business. Says it's like stealing candies from babies.
03:27And England all rounder Chris Wokes who famously came out to bat with a broken arm against India calls time on his international career following his omission from the Ashes squad.
03:42But the story that we are breaking at the moment. The government of Canada has gone ahead and listed the Lawrence Vishnoye gang as a terrorist entity. That's the story that's breaking at the moment. The listing will bar Canadians from financing or aiding the group.
03:44led by Vishnoye.
03:46Remember that we are breaking at the moment. The government of Canada has gone ahead and listed the Lawrence Vishnoye gang as a terrorist entity. That's the story that's breaking at the moment. The listing will bar Canadians from financing or aiding the group led by Vishnoye.
03:49Remember, last year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police accused India of using a terrorist attack. The government of Canada has gone ahead and listed the Lawrence Vishnoye gang as a terrorist entity. That's the story that's breaking at the moment. The listing will bar Canadians from financing or aiding the group.
04:12led by Vishnoye. Remember, last year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police accused India of using the Vishnoye gang to carry out murders and acts of extortion targeting Canadians. Particularly those who advocate for a creation of a separate Khalistan. New Delhi has rejected those claims. It has instead been working with Ottawa to stop the gang's financial flow.
04:38Clearly, Ottawa now working with the government in New Delhi but the Lawrence Vishnoye gang has been declared a terrorist entity amidst what has been happening between Ottawa and New Delhi.
04:52I want to go straight across to Pranay Upadhyay for the very latest Pranay.
04:56We've had a year in which Canada and India have had a very tense and fractious relationship. What does this decision to make the Lawrence Vishnoye gang a terrorist entity really mean now for relations between the two countries?
05:12This means, Rajdeep, that both countries, Canada and India are now working together. This is a long pending demand by India. If you see the list of extradition requests pending with the government of Canada, 26 extradition lists given by the government of India with all the required details, dossiers and we are still waiting action on it.
05:32At least five individuals are linked with this Vishnoye gang which is a transnational criminal organization which has found its safe haven in Canada.
05:42India has been requesting about action against this Vishnoye gang which is involved in terror activities, arsening, intimidation, extradition, intimidation in many activities.
05:56And that's why the government of India has been requesting about this extradition of these individuals besides that the provisional arrest of many of these individuals.
06:04However, the Trudeau government did not pay heed to these demands, did not work on these things rather, you know, hurl allegations against the government of India.
06:12But now, about 10 days ago, Rajdeep, there was a meeting between Indian NSA, Dr. Ajit Doval and Natalie Doran, the National Security Advisor of Canada who visited India.
06:22And after that meeting, it was also decided to take concrete action against these transnational criminal gangs.
06:31Okay.
06:32That might make it a little bit easier possibly to extradite some of them.
06:37Pradai Upadhyay joining us with that very latest on that breaking story.
06:41Let me turn from there to one of our top stories today.
06:45Last night, late at night, India defeated Pakistan for the third time in a row to lift the 2025 Asia Cup.
06:54It was a great fighting performance on the field.
06:57But what happened off the field is what has now snowballed into a major controversy.
07:04After the match, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsi Nakhvi, who is also the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Asian Council Chief.
07:16Pakistan reacted angrily and refused to give the trophy to the Indians.
07:21Now, the matter is threatening to become a major issue with India planning to take Pakistan to the International Cricket Conference.
07:30Not just that, Prime Minister Modi also has dived into the issue when he tweeted likening the cricket victory to Operation Sindhuul.
07:39Pakistan hit back, calling it an act of desperation.
07:43Either way, cricket finds itself tangled once again in politics.
07:48It's our top story.
08:00India won a thriller on the last over to beat Pakistan and claim the Asia Cup on Sunday night.
08:11The victory, however, was followed by high drama.
08:17The chain of events that unfolded ended with the winning team having to celebrate without the trophy.
08:23The Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Mohsi Nakhvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister.
08:38The players waited for nearly an hour for Nakhvi to leave, but the Pakistan Minister did not leave the dais.
08:45Finally, Nakhvi left the venue taking the trophy and medals of the Indian team with him.
08:55The Indian cricketers went on to celebrate the win without the prize.
08:59The Indian captain announced he would donate his match fees to Pahalgam terror attack victims and armed forces.
09:09I think this is the best moment to dedicate any match fees to Asia Cup to all the armed forces and also the victims of Pahalgam.
09:26Because if you can do small things, you can do small things in your country.
09:30If you can do small things in your country, you can do small things in your country.
09:35This is a small thing to me.
09:37But if you keep doing it, I think that sometimes you need more prayer than the reward.
09:45And this will be a lot of fun when we play World Cup.
09:47Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's victory, calling it Operation Sindur on Games Field.
09:58To which Mohsi Nakhvi responded, claiming victory in previous wars.
10:05At home, politics raged, with the BJP claiming vindication and the opposition questioning the decision to play cricket with Pakistan.
10:14It's been a thrilling final.
10:17This is the kind of the
10:33The Indian water treaty will hold hold.
10:36Any act of terror will be considered an act of war.
10:39The BCCI has decided to escalate the issue and raise a strong protest against the public.
10:44The BCCI has decided to escalate the issue and raise a strong protest against the public.
10:45Pakistan Minister for denying India the trophy.
10:46The BCCI has decided to escalate the issue and raise a strong protest against the Pakistan Minister for denying India the trophy.
10:59Bureau report India today.
11:00Now one of the cricketers who finds himself at the centre of the storm is the Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadha.
11:12My colleague and our consulting sports editor Nikhil Naas caught up with him after the game.
11:29Listen in.
11:33Look who is with me?
11:34There is no doubt about them.
11:36This is the man of the moment.
11:38Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadha.
11:40Champion of Asia cup.
11:42My first question is, where is the trophy?
11:45The trophy is in all hotels.
11:4714 players and 10-12 support staff.
11:50That is the trophy.
11:51Okay.
11:52Tell me one thing.
11:53Very good answer.
11:54But one thing.
11:55Tell me.
11:56When all of the trophies were happening, what was happening in your mind?
12:01The players were very relaxed.
12:03The players were relaxed because we used to play cricket.
12:06Yes.
12:07We used to play cricket.
12:08We used to play cricket.
12:09We used to play cricket.
12:10The whole tournament focused on cricket.
12:12If you look at the first game that we played in front of them,
12:16we didn't focus on any other thing.
12:20We didn't focus on cricket.
12:21Correct.
12:22We only focused on cricket.
12:23We played cricket.
12:24We won the tournament.
12:25You said that you didn't have any tips for them.
12:27Yes.
12:28But the players will be wrong with the gestures of Pakistan and the players in the next match.
12:32Look.
12:33How is it?
12:34In the game, everything goes above and below.
12:36There is aggression.
12:37There is a game against the players.
12:38Everyone wants to win the game against the players.
12:40But what is it?
12:41You should never cross the line.
12:43There are so many things that players have told me.
12:46There are so many things in the three matches.
12:47I can't share.
12:49There are so many things in the ground.
12:51There are so many things that players have told me.
12:53But after the first game and after the second game,
12:56that if we focus on cricket,
12:59the occasion is good.
13:01If we win the match here,
13:03there is no answer for anyone.
13:05Yes.
13:06The Prime Minister Modi has also tweeted.
13:07After that, you will have seen it.
13:09Because it was because of your performance.
13:12So you thought that you were feeling that the Prime Minister also wrote something like that?
13:17You were also watching the match?
13:18Yes.
13:19Look, the Honourable PM Sir has tweeted.
13:21He was watching the match.
13:23He was sitting on the front foot.
13:25It was like that.
13:26Yes.
13:27But if a country leader is standing in front of you,
13:31then you play and relax.
13:33You don't have to think much.
13:35You played well.
13:37It was very good.
13:38The best wishes came.
13:39And congratulations to all of you.
13:41So it was very good.
13:42Now, the next Pakistan-Bharat will be a match job.
13:45So you will have to be a stance.
13:47No handshake.
13:48No handshake.
13:49I don't know,
13:50that's the moment.
13:51What's going on in our minds?
13:53What's going on in our minds?
13:54What's going on in our minds?
13:55What's going on in our minds?
13:56Now, Delhi is very far.
13:58But they are going to go to Mumbai.
14:00Yes, they are going to go to Mumbai.
14:02But there is a lot of time for that game.
14:04There are a lot of series.
14:06There are two and three teams.
14:08We will focus on that.
14:09When it comes,
14:10then we will think about it.
14:11Surya Bhai,
14:12thank you so much for taking our time.
14:14I will say that he is not the captain of the Indian team.
14:17He is the captain of the best T20 team in the world.
14:20And I am not saying that.
14:22As he said,
14:23take a record and take a look.
14:24You will know that.
14:25Thank you once again.
14:28Now, amidst all of this,
14:30let's raise the big questions.
14:32Has politics polluted Indo Park Cricket?
14:36Should we have shaken hands with the Pakistanis?
14:39Accepted the trophy from Mohsin Nakvi?
14:41These were some of the questions I posed to India's cricket legend Kapil Dev.
14:46Listen in.
14:47Kapil Paji,
14:50I want to ask you,
14:51how do you respond to what we have seen at the Asia Cup?
14:55Not so much on the field,
14:56but off it.
14:57Indian players refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players,
15:01and now even refusing to accept the trophy last night from Mohsin Nakvi,
15:05the head of Asia Cricket Council.
15:08How do you respond as a former cricketing great to what you saw happening on the cricket field, sir?
15:18I think when they didn't shake hands, it was fine.
15:22You've shown you're being not happy to be part of that matches,
15:31but the government and the cricket board have given you or have said that,
15:37go and play.
15:38You're playing that.
15:39Individual have their own liking and disliking.
15:42I think once the government takes step forward and the cricket board,
15:46then the players should play.
15:48Yes, shaking hands is not a big thing.
15:51You didn't shake hands.
15:52It doesn't matter.
15:53It's not a big thing.
15:54Yeah, you already announced you don't want to take a trophy from that man.
15:58That's also fine.
15:59But you can't linger on for these type of things.
16:02You have to finish.
16:03You have to move on.
16:04Let the government do that job.
16:06Let the politician do that job.
16:08Our job was to make an impact
16:11or make a dent, which I think Indian team did it not once,
16:16three times playing well, winning the matches.
16:19And after that, they have shown that
16:21this type of behavior from Pakistan, we won't like it.
16:25But now one have to move on.
16:27Don't try to carry on something which is not good for the sportsman.
16:33It's only politician or the cricket board should decide
16:37what's the best thing for Indian cricket team now.
16:40I want to ask you honestly.
16:45If you were India cricket captain, would you have shaken hands?
16:49Do you believe shaking hands is part of the common courtesy of sport
16:54with your opponent or you believe the situation has reached a point
16:58where you can't even shake hands with your opponents?
17:04I think definitely heart in heart.
17:09Nobody wants to shake hands when you are not happy to play with them.
17:14But again, the cricket board have decided we will go and play.
17:18Shaking hands is not a big thing.
17:20I think we media and we people are trying to make a very big issue.
17:25I think one have to move on.
17:27You didn't want to shake hands.
17:28You didn't want to talk to them.
17:30It's good enough.
17:31It's in the tournament you play.
17:33I think again, don't make a bigger issue than that.
17:37I think we as a media also should take a responsibility.
17:41Try to let it go now.
17:44Whatever it happened, it happened.
17:46Let's move on.
17:47You played a great cricket and played like a champion.
17:51That's more important.
17:52And I think again media's job is their job as a sportsman.
17:56I would say you move on.
17:58Let's play the game and move on.
18:00Let the politician and the cricket board take the step forward.
18:05But Kapil Paji, you are saying let the politicians and the boards decide.
18:12There are those who believe that boards are using the players as pawns.
18:16Players cut putli hain.
18:18That they have to do whatever the politicians and the board do.
18:22They, as a result, the sport suffers.
18:24The focus should be on the cricket, on the players.
18:28Instead, the focus is on fighting these battles off the field.
18:33Are the players only pawns?
18:39I don't know.
18:40I haven't seen in that side.
18:42I think sometime as a player also, you have a feeling for your country,
18:46for both the players.
18:47That side also, this side also.
18:49But again, you've shown that your unhappiness
18:53to be a part of that system what the cricket board was asked.
18:58You played.
18:59But if for personal, somebody is not happy,
19:03he can say, I don't want to play against Pakistan.
19:05But when the cricket board or the country is given okay to you,
19:09go and play.
19:10And shaking hand is not a big thing.
19:13I don't think so it's a big thing.
19:15It's a new system come out.
19:17Everybody have to shake hand.
19:1820, 30 years back, nobody used to shake hand.
19:21They just, after the toss also, they never shake hand.
19:25But again, yes, you feel unhappy.
19:29And whatever it happened and the government,
19:33Indian government have decided,
19:35we don't want to let them come out again and again
19:40and try to disturb our country.
19:42But one thing, Rajdeep, everybody have to understand,
19:45they are the neighbour.
19:47And you want to have good neighbours.
19:50They can say the same thing.
19:52We can say the same thing.
19:53The only way forward is,
19:56you have to have a dialogue.
19:58You have to talk to them again and again.
20:01In 70 years, it didn't improve much.
20:03But one can't say run away from the situation,
20:07whatever both the countries are.
20:09They are our neighbour.
20:10We should try our best thing as a big brother,
20:15try to make sure, try to solve the problem.
20:18Yes, so many bad things happen,
20:22which I don't like to talk about that.
20:25And I like to move on in my life and try to say,
20:28whatever happened yesterday,
20:29let's move on for tomorrow, better tomorrow.
20:36Would we have been better off,
20:38given that there is so much anger and hurt in this country
20:41over what happened in Pehlgaam in April,
20:43should we have just boycotted it?
20:45Would it have been better to just boycott and not play
20:48rather than play in this atmosphere
20:50where you have players making gestures at each other,
20:53someone is showing a bat like a weapon,
20:56someone is suggesting jets have fallen.
20:58I mean, should we have just not played
21:00and boycotted the tournament?
21:01That would have been better rather than play
21:04and not observe the common courtesies now.
21:10I don't know really.
21:12I can't answer that.
21:13I think it's up to the cricket board and to the government.
21:16Once you go on there, just play.
21:18Yes, you've shown your first thing,
21:20you didn't shake hands, that was good enough.
21:22You've shown you're not happy with that.
21:25That's after that, I think you have to move on
21:28and play the game and come out.
21:30And again, I would say that to you, Raj.
21:33It doesn't matter if they didn't give us a trophy.
21:35We are the champion.
21:37And that's the way you have to move on for better tomorrow.
21:40You know, on that note, I want to end here because I wish we could talk more about the cricket on the field in the future.
21:48And off the field, hopefully, there will be less controversies because that clearly shadows Indian-Pakistan cricket
21:57and thereby makes it perhaps a little less watchable when the toxicity from outside interferes with cricket on the field.
22:05I appreciate Kapil Deh, you joining me on the show today. Thank you so much.
22:10I just want to say your responsibility, our responsibility,
22:15responsibility for entire media also.
22:19We look into the sports side rather than looking into the politics side.
22:24Yes, media have the responsibility to bring everything on the table.
22:29But as a sportsman, I would like to see we should stick to the sports.
22:33It will be much better.
22:39Well, as long as politicians don't interfere in sports, sir,
22:42the problem is our politicians interfere in sports.
22:45That's why we are forced to cover the politicians.
22:47If the politicians also should stay away from sports, Kapil Paji then.
22:54Well, that's not possible.
22:57They can make an argument.
22:59Your sports people coming into the politics, then what happened?
23:03So, I think this is like an open book.
23:06They can come this side.
23:07The sportsmen go to the politics.
23:09But all the politicians and sports people try to see that the sport should remain in sports way.
23:18It will help everybody.
23:20Okay, that interview with Kapil Dev which is going viral sets the stage for the big questions that we want to raise.
23:28Are cricketers simply now pawns in the hands of politics and politicians?
23:33As Indo Park cricket turned totally toxic.
23:36Is it possible to keep politics out of cricket?
23:39And should India, Indo Park cricket just stop until the common courtesies are restored?
23:45Joining me now, two very fine voices.
23:47Javed Qureshi is former Pakistan under 19 captain.
23:51He joins me from Pakistan.
23:53And I'm joined by Suresh Menon.
23:55He is one of India's most eminent sports writers and authors.
23:59Appreciate both of you joining us.
24:01I want to come to Javed Qureshi first.
24:03I want to extend that courtesy of listening to my guests from across the border.
24:07Javed Qureshi, how do you see what's happened in this Asia Cup?
24:12Do you believe that Pakistan must also bear responsibility particularly Mohsin Nakvi for the manner in which he has also brought in a certain politics and toxic politics into the sport?
24:27Good evening.
24:29This is Javed here.
24:30I hope you can all hear me.
24:32Hello?
24:33Yes, I can.
24:34Yeah, thank you Rajdeep.
24:35Yes, I can.
24:36Please go ahead.
24:37I think I'm very disappointed.
24:39I think Pakistan is equally culpable.
24:42I think what we've seen in the last seven to eight days is atrocious.
24:49It is bad for the game.
24:51It is not setting an example.
24:53And I just think that, you know, it is probably better that the two countries don't play each other.
25:00What we are doing is ruining this game.
25:03I can't imagine what kind of example we are setting for young kids who watch this game.
25:08Is a young batsman now supposed to hold his bat like a machine gun?
25:12So, you know, I am not happy.
25:15I think sportsmen, we all believe in certain causes and I am all for that.
25:21But the level of interference that we are seeing from both sides and the things that we are being, you know, what players are being asked to do is totally unacceptable to me.
25:30Common sense must prevail.
25:33Civility must prevail.
25:34It is a great game.
25:35Those are very strong.
25:36Those are very strong words coming from you, Javed.
25:43I just want to take that for a moment to Suresh.
25:46Can I just take that to Suresh Menon for a moment?
25:49Because Suresh, you've tracked this game for decades.
25:52What has changed?
25:53Has something changed?
25:54Was it always like this between India and Pakistan?
25:57Or has the political atmosphere changed for the worse and thereby cricketers are being affected by it?
26:04Well, it has largely been like this, Rajseep.
26:08We've played matches when Kargil was on.
26:12We played matches when troops were gathered on the borders.
26:17But I think there's something about this particular tournament which left a very bad taste in the mouth.
26:24And I largely agree with what Javed is saying that, you know, until we can sort this out, until we have, from India's side, a proper Pakistan cricket policy, it's going to be very difficult.
26:37It's going to be like this.
26:38It's going to be, there's going to be more and more one-upmanship.
26:42You know, people are trying to figure out how much more can I do to sort of make the other side look small.
26:51This is not cricket.
26:52Our country is bigger than this.
26:54The game is bigger than this.
26:55You can't do this.
26:57You know, exactly as Javed said, I hold Mr. Nakfi equally culpable because he was wearing his hat as the interior minister of Pakistan.
27:09But equally, he was the president of the ACC.
27:13And before the match, he was told that the Indian team would not take the trophy from him.
27:20So in the larger interest of the game, as the ACC president, he should have then decided that, let someone else do the job.
27:30No, he's appealing to his constituency in Pakistan, just as the cricketers are proxies for the politicians who are appealing to their constituencies in India.
27:43And I feel very sad for cricketers. Surya Kumar Yadav is a much better man than he's made out to be.
27:50I mean, you know that before the tournament, he did shake hands with Mr. Mohsin Nakfi.
27:56And the players have said that, you know, when the camera's off, they do shake hands.
28:01It's not a big deal.
28:02But this whole concept of, you know, being not only doing something, but being seen to be done.
28:08I think India is much bigger than that. I think cricket is much bigger than that.
28:13And that's what we've forgotten in this whole business of trying to teach the other team a lesson.
28:19Very well put there. India is much bigger than that. Cricket is much bigger than that.
28:28But Javed Nakfi is part of the problem because the way cricket boards are run.
28:35In Pakistan, many believe the cricket board today is an extension of the government.
28:40The Interior Minister is the PCB chief. You could argue no different in India.
28:45Many of the officials at the top of the board are effectively chosen by the Home Minister.
28:51The informal meeting to decide on the new BCCI officials was held in Home Minister Amit Shah's house.
28:58So then this becomes a proxy war between the Interior Minister of Pakistan and the Home Minister of India.
29:03Can that change? Do you see that ever changing or will it get worse before it gets better, Javed Qureshi?
29:10I think I think it will get worse. And I think the Pakistan, what disappoints me about the Pakistan side is that the only thing we should be focusing on is that we've lost three times to India in 10 days.
29:22We are taking our eyes. We are taking our eyes off the ball.
29:25And, you know, we are, you know, busy with these antics and busy with these distractions.
29:30The only thing that matters to the people of Pakistan is winning or losing.
29:34I don't think most people in Pakistan approve of these antics.
29:38They'd rather see their cricketers for what they are, heroes.
29:41They'd like to see them doing well. And I think it's extremely unfortunate that, you know, we are seeing these things.
29:48And I'm hoping over time that, you know, both countries will see through this and see that both countries, you know, are looking small in the eyes of the world.
30:00You know, I was thinking of this, Rajdeep, if you go back to history and you look at Tony Gregg's comment on the West Indians when he said he'd make them grovel.
30:09He was a South African in the middle of apartheid, in the middle of a hateful time.
30:15And how did the West Indians react? Did they say we won't shake hands with Tony Gregg?
30:19Did they say we won't, you know, be on the field with him? They just went out and beat England.
30:24And that was how they did the talking. And that to me is the best result and that's the best way to approach these things.
30:31Politicians getting involved and people making gestures because they're supposed to make them…
30:36So should Suresh…
30:38You know, Suresh, should we…
30:45Have we reached the stage where we actually have to actively consider a period where we press a pause button and the two countries don't play with each other?
30:53Because as Javed says, the example for the next generation that is being set is terrible.
31:00I think so. I think… I mean, I would have hated to say this in the normal course of events over the many years that I've covered cricket and been to Pakistan and covered India-Pakistan cricket.
31:12At no time have I felt that India-Pakistan cricket should come to a halt, however, temporarily.
31:18But now I do feel that if India are to play Pakistan in this atmosphere, under these circumstances…
31:25See, initially what used to happen was there was always worry about the spectators, that the players might sort of incite the mobs in the crowds.
31:36But that's not the case. For the first time, it's the players who have behaved worse than the spectators at any ground.
31:43And that's something to think about. And they've done this, not because it's a spontaneous act, however much Surya Kumar Yadav might say,
31:51they did it on their own without any instructions. But you cannot do a thing like this on your own.
31:56Obviously, instructions have come from the board, which is the same as the government.
32:01So, it's a time to hit the pause button. I agree with you.
32:08Okay. Time to hit the pause button.
32:13Unfortunate, though, that might be what has happened in the last few weeks has left a bitter taste in the mouth.
32:20Atrocious is one word that was used just now in this discussion.
32:25And I must confess, I concur with it as a cricket romantic.
32:29Javed Qureshi and Suresh Menon for joining me here tonight.
32:33Thank you very much. Both sides of the divide as it is.
32:38Let's turn to our other big political story today.
32:41And it comes from Karoor in Tamil Nadu, where politics continues over the deadly stampede that took place over the weekend
32:49during actor-turned-superstar and TBK leader Vijay's rally.
32:54The death toll has risen to 41.
32:57And while the DMK government has ordered a judicial probe, the big questions remain.
33:02Will accountability be fixed?
33:04And is it time to re-look at the way political rallies are organized in this country?
33:11It's our other big top story.
33:19The deadly stampede at Tamiragavetri Karagam chief Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karoor cost 41 lives on Saturday.
33:34And more than 100 people were injured.
33:37TVK has submitted an application to Madras High Court asking for a CBI probe.
33:43The party has also appealed to court to restrict DGP and collector from preventing the actor-turned-politician Vijay
33:53from meeting the victims of Karoor tragedy.
33:56TVK petition in the High Court claims that some anti-social elements infiltrated the rally
34:25and as soon as Vijay mentioned DMK Minister Senthil Balaji and started criticising him,
34:33slippers were thrown at him.
34:35They were also denied the venue of their choice.
34:39We suggested a place called Velaida, this one.
34:42Because this was conducted in the recent past by one of the political parties
34:46with about 12-15,000 people who were gathered there and it went off very peacefully.
34:50So that was suggested to them.
34:52So they also went and saw the place.
34:53They finally agreed.
34:54They gave it in writing saying that we may be permitted to conduct the event in this place.
34:59Further, the petition mentions that even before TVK leader Vijay started his speech,
35:04the electricity connection was disrupted.
35:07It allegedly led to people jamming towards the generator used for backup.
35:13BJP has supported TVK's demand for a CBI probe.
35:22BJP inquiry is the need of the hour because a forensic investigation has to happen
35:25to see the trigger point, fix everybody, make everybody accountable.
35:28You cannot have a one-man inquiry commission which will naturally give clean shit to the state government.
35:33Pick people also. If somebody has to make a mistake, you do it.
35:35An immediate suspension.
35:37The Tamil Nadu government has denied power-cut allegations raised by TVK.
35:44India today has accessed the letter seeking a temporary power-cut by the TVK party itself.
35:52The Tamil Nadu chief minister has issued a request to restrain from spreading misinformation online.
36:12For this reason, at the middle of the media, you see many sozusagen and official people.
36:19The truth is what the government has committed to, the relatives' relatives,
36:22the children, the normaleys, the grandparents, the families,
36:25is a good thing.
36:27Union Finance Minister Nirmalasi Taraman visited the Stampede spot at Karoor
36:33at Karoor and met victim families and injured.
36:56Tamirnaad police has lodged FIR against top leaders of TVK
37:01but has not mentioned the actor-turned-politician Vijay in it.
37:07EuroReport, India Today.
37:09Okay, so let's raise the big questions.
37:14The Vijay Rally stampede.
37:16Who really is to blame?
37:18The big question, of course, will accountability be fixed?
37:21And has it come, has the time come to review crowd control
37:25at major political rallies?
37:27Joining me now, Selam Dhardi Dharan.
37:29He's spokesperson of the DMK.
37:32R Rangarajan, former IS officer, joins me.
37:35And Chandra Mohan, Chennai-based activist, is also with us.
37:39Appreciate your joining us.
37:40Mr. Dhardi Dharan, let me come to you first.
37:42Yours is the government in power.
37:44There's a sense that you do not want to fix accountability beyond the point.
37:50You haven't named actor Vijay in the FIR.
37:53He stays away from it because you fear he could become a political martyr.
37:57And you quickly ordered a one-man judicial probe.
37:59You don't seem to want a wider CBI probe.
38:03Is the DMK worried ahead of elections next year
38:06to actually have a full inquiry that will actually fix accountability?
38:14See, firstly, I would like to express my condolences to the family members
38:21who lost their loved ones and wish me a victory for those returning in the hospital.
38:26My chief minister himself said on the day of the incident
38:29that his first problem is to make sure that people who are injured
38:34are cured quickly and sent back home.
38:36And those who have lost their loved ones
38:38to make sure their families do not suffer.
38:40That is the first and foremost thing for the chief minister.
38:44And that is why on the same day at 9 p.m.,
38:46he chaired a high-profile meeting.
38:48And immediately after that, he flew and went to Karur at 2 a.m.
38:52The ministers went to the hospital at 8.30 p.m. itself.
38:57Why this has happened, we have to understand.
39:00Firstly and foremost, Vijay was supposed to come at 8.45 p.m. in Namakal.
39:04But he addressed Namakal rally at 1 p.m.
39:08He was supposed to address Karur rally at 1 p.m.
39:12But he addressed us only at 7 p.m.
39:14And because of the rally, all the shops nearby were closed.
39:18So, there was no water or food arrangements by the TVK carders or party people.
39:24So, what had happened, people had started fainting.
39:26Even in Namakal itself at 1 p.m., 37 people had fainted
39:29and many dozens had gone to the hospital in the ambulance.
39:33And second, when Vijay, okay, he came very late,
39:36people are already fatigued, dehydrated.
39:39At 5 o'clock, he, as a surprise, normally in the entire road show,
39:43he will stand on the podium and wave to people
39:45or sit in the front seat with the light on.
39:48He will wave at people by sitting on the seat.
39:50But on the contrary, this time, I don't know what reason,
39:53maybe he thought he wanted to congratulate as many people as possible.
39:56He went inside the caravan, light was turned off
40:00so people could have a glimpse of him.
40:01So, they went crazy.
40:02They started following him mad
40:03because they had been waiting for 7 hours to see him
40:05and he is not visible.
40:07So, they were following the caravan.
40:08And then police stopped...
40:11Sir, the sequence of events now is well known.
40:13Mr. Dhandi Dharan, the sequence of events is well known.
40:16I asked the question today about accountability.
40:18Will accountability be fixed?
40:2041 people have lost their lives.
40:24Yes, we are being accountable.
40:26But my primary point is that,
40:28why did he do that?
40:29Why did he not listen to the DSP there?
40:31And why did he not...
40:32Why did he throw water bottles?
40:34His followers see him as God.
40:35When he throws water bottles,
40:37people want to get it because he is giving...
40:38So, then why have you not...
40:40Why have you not filed an F.I.R. against him?
40:42Why is he not named in the F.I.R.?
40:45Why is the...
40:46If Vijay is responsible,
40:48why is he not named in the F.I.R.?
40:51The F.I.R. has been filed but not a charge sheet.
40:54Investigation is happening.
40:55If his general secretary,
40:58deputy general secretary will be investigated,
41:01after that,
41:02Vijay will be...
41:03If he has made a mistake,
41:06then he will also be arrested.
41:08But most importantly,
41:09the matter is also subtilies.
41:11They have also got...
41:11TVC himself got to the court.
41:14So,
41:15the first is to make sure
41:17that those who are injured are taken care of.
41:19And then to make sure what...
41:21And then to see what went wrong.
41:22And then who all have done wrong
41:24will not be spared.
41:25Even if that includes
41:26people away...
41:28Apart from TVK party,
41:29if anyone has done anything wrong,
41:31they will not be spared.
41:32But we have to wait.
41:33There is a one-member judicial committee
41:34which was immediately announced within one hour.
41:37And then there is police investigation
41:38that is underway.
41:39No charges are yet filed.
41:40No one will be spared.
41:42Why would my chief minister want to spare anyone?
41:44We...
41:4441 lives have been lost.
41:45My chief minister is not able to sleep.
41:47Right?
41:48Okay, you are saying...
41:49You are saying no one will be spared.
41:52You are saying no one will be spared.
41:53Chandramur...
41:54Okay, you made your point.
41:55Chandramur, you want to respond?
41:56Here is the DMK spokesperson
41:58saying no one will be spared.
42:00Do you believe that
42:01we are caught in a typical political blame game
42:05and thereby accountability
42:07will never get really fixed?
42:13Absolutely.
42:15Rajdeep, 41 people died.
42:17Not because of fate.
42:18Because of failure.
42:20Because of zero accountability.
42:24Because everybody is on a blame game.
42:28For the past two days,
42:29I am sick and tired of hearing
42:31both TVK and DMK blaming each other for this.
42:35Nobody actually cares about a common man's life.
42:38My life, my kids' life,
42:40all our lives are dispensable for these people.
42:42That is what I have figured out
42:43in all these years of activism.
42:46In India, life has no sanctity.
42:48No dignity at all.
42:50Especially if you are poor,
42:51you know, God help you.
42:53Nobody, even God can help you.
42:55That is the case here.
42:55Now, here's the thing, right?
42:57Now, there are two things.
42:59But Chandra Ball,
43:01there will also be questions
43:02of fan frenzy.
43:04Whether it was in Bengaluru
43:06a few months ago
43:07during an IPL function
43:08or now at a Vijay rally,
43:10how do you control frenzied fans?
43:13I mean, frenzied fans
43:14must also start taking responsibility
43:16for their action.
43:17If you are going to sit
43:18on a tree branch,
43:19then you could, could.
43:21Yes.
43:22Suffer.
43:25Yes, I am coming to that.
43:28There are two, three things
43:29I want to make it very clear.
43:31First of all,
43:32when a party is asking
43:33to conduct a public event,
43:36they should first take responsibility
43:37for what happens.
43:39Now, what I have seen
43:40in these past two days,
43:41TBK has no, you know,
43:43idea to take responsibility.
43:45They went into hiding.
43:47Okay.
43:47That clearly shows
43:48they don't give a damn
43:50about the people
43:50who have come to see them.
43:52Okay.
43:52Now, second responsibility
43:55is with the government.
43:57Now, let me ask
43:59the DMK spokesperson
44:00this question.
44:01When VIPs come,
44:03there is a safety protocol, right?
44:05And it is strictly followed, right?
44:07So there is no safety protocol
44:08for common men like me
44:09and the people who died over there.
44:11We are dispensable.
44:13Why wasn't the safety protocol
44:14not insured,
44:16was not implemented,
44:18was not enforced.
44:20Didn't the police have autonomy?
44:22Didn't the government
44:22give the police autonomy
44:23to stop the meeting
44:25when they see the crowd,
44:26the amount of people
44:27that came in already?
44:28and then when Vijay came in,
44:30he brought in more than,
44:31you know,
44:316,000, 7,000, 8,000 people
44:33from the existing crowd
44:35and everybody knows
44:37that it is not feasible.
44:38In a place like that,
44:39it is not feasible.
44:40And if you look at that place,
44:43there were ditches, Rajdeep,
44:45ditches where people can fall.
44:46Now, if there was
44:47a responsible administration,
44:49when they know
44:51such a big crowd
44:52is going to come,
44:52they would have covered
44:53all those places, right?
44:55First of all,
44:55they would have given
44:56a bigger space.
44:57Why are political rallies
44:59being conducted
44:59in roads like this?
45:01Why can't you give it
45:02in a ground
45:02where safety can be ensured?
45:05Why wasn't that
45:06not taken into consideration
45:07by the government?
45:09I mean,
45:09you are talking about
45:10fan frenzy.
45:11Let me take...
45:11Now, let's talk about it.
45:13Let me take...
45:14You are trying to
45:14put a blame on
45:1617-year-olds,
45:1716-year-olds,
45:17and 18-year-olds.
45:18I am sorry, Rajdeep,
45:20but you cannot
45:21because these guys
45:22are youngsters.
45:24They have no clue
45:25about what they are doing
45:26in their life.
45:27They are coming there
45:28to see their hero
45:29in the screen.
45:30They are the Instagram generation.
45:32They want to take selfies.
45:33Who should be responsible
45:35is the party leadership
45:36and the government.
45:37Both of them
45:38are responsible.
45:39So, stop putting blame
45:41on each other
45:42and start taking responsibility
45:44because as people,
45:45we are sick and tired of this.
45:47Our lives don't matter
45:48to either of you.
45:49That is what
45:50you have shown clearly.
45:51All we are doing is
45:52what...
45:53Let me take that
45:54to Mr. Raj Gopalan
45:55because you've been
45:56a former I.S. officer.
45:57The point made
45:58is that,
45:59you see,
45:59political...
46:01We are,
46:02you know,
46:02the political rallies,
46:04starstruck fans,
46:05Mr. Raghfiraj,
46:06is it time now
46:09to re-look at the way
46:10these political rallies
46:11are organized?
46:11We will have an election
46:12in Tamil Nadu
46:13in a few months from now.
46:15What...
46:16Is there any advice
46:16you would give?
46:17Is there...
46:17Has the time come
46:18to re-look and review
46:19these political arrangements?
46:21You can't have it
46:21in the middle
46:22of a narrow road anymore.
46:23Absolutely, Rajdeep.
46:25First of all,
46:27deepest condolences
46:28to the families
46:28who have suffered
46:29in this very big,
46:32you know,
46:32unpardonable tragedy,
46:33so to speak.
46:34But I would just
46:35want to say that,
46:36you know,
46:37when we were getting
46:38trained in Masoori,
46:39you know,
46:39there is
46:39this three stages
46:41of an officer's career
46:42which they used to say,
46:44Garam,
46:45Naram,
46:46Besharam,
46:47you know,
46:47on a lighter wheel.
46:48And that analogy
46:49can be brought
46:49to the political class.
46:51You know,
46:52there will be few
46:52of them who are angry.
46:54There are few
46:55who will be soft
46:56and who will accept
46:57the responsibility.
46:58But majority of them
46:59are shameless.
46:59In the sense,
47:00you know,
47:00you take the history.
47:02Everyone acts
47:04holier than thou.
47:04When they are in opposition,
47:05they blame the government.
47:06But when they come
47:07to the government,
47:07they find other
47:08scapegoats to blame.
47:10You know,
47:10there was a Mahamagam stampede
47:11which happened way back
47:12in 1992
47:13when Madam Jairal Tau
47:14was the chief minister
47:15visited
47:16and DMK was in opposition
47:17that time.
47:18It blamed laps
47:19on the part of the government
47:20and rightly so.
47:21And now,
47:22when last year,
47:23there was an air show
47:24in Chennai
47:25where five people
47:25succumbed
47:26in a stampede.
47:28But again,
47:29the government
47:29does not take
47:30the responsibility
47:30as it should.
47:31Now,
47:31in this case,
47:32as Chandraman rightly said,
47:34you can blame
47:35the leadership,
47:36you can blame
47:37the government,
47:38but ultimately,
47:38no one wants
47:39to take the accountability.
47:40And I was hearing
47:41a lot of BJP leaders
47:42saying that,
47:43you know,
47:43the government
47:43should take the blame.
47:45You cannot blame
47:45the TVK leader.
47:47Well,
47:48there may be some merit
47:48in that argument,
47:49but will that,
47:50did they apply
47:51the same standard?
47:52Let's say,
47:53when there was a
47:53KUM stampede
47:54in UP,
47:55did they blame
47:55the Yogi government
47:56for that?
47:57When there was a stampede
47:58in the Delhi railway station,
47:59did they blame
48:00the central government
48:01which is responsible
48:01for both railways
48:02and police
48:03in Delhi for that?
48:04So,
48:04I am only trying
48:05to say that,
48:06you know,
48:06everybody is,
48:07but everyone acts
48:10holier than thou
48:11when it comes
48:11to fixing accountability.
48:12You know,
48:12when in opposition,
48:14blame the government.
48:15When you come
48:15to the government,
48:16blame opposition
48:16or sundry parties.
48:18I think,
48:18there has to be
48:20a mechanism.
48:20It's very unfortunate.
48:22People have to take
48:23responsibility definitely,
48:24just like by a beware.
48:25There must be
48:25citizen beware,
48:26so to speak.
48:27But,
48:28at the end of the day,
48:28we are such a large country.
48:30Even a minuscule population
48:32gets frenzied.
48:34That is enough
48:34to fill places
48:35in our country.
48:36You cannot,
48:37you cannot discipline
48:38140 crore people.
48:39So,
48:40to put the blame
48:41on the people,
48:42while there were,
48:43you know,
48:44actions which were
48:46very, very ugly,
48:48climbing on trees
48:49and other things
48:50which could have also
48:50caused or contributed
48:51to this.
48:52But,
48:53it's impossible
48:54to discipline
48:54140 crore people.
48:56So,
48:56that is out of the equation.
48:58You can keep appealing
48:58to them,
48:59but the responsibility,
49:01the accountability
49:01is with the organizers,
49:04with the government
49:05and there is to be
49:06a clear cut mechanism
49:07and I think
49:07swift justice,
49:09swift justice
49:09will ensure that
49:10I've heard all three of you.
49:12I've heard all three of you
49:14and I think the clear message is
49:15enough of the blame game,
49:17time to fix accountability.
49:20I hope
49:20that at least in this case,
49:22lessons will be learned
49:23and maybe we need
49:24to have a wider debate,
49:25get you all back
49:26to look at the way
49:27political rallies
49:28in this country
49:29are increasingly organized.
49:31I appreciate though
49:32my guest joining me
49:33on that talking point.
49:34Welcome back,
49:35you're with the news today.
49:36Now,
49:36for years,
49:37Maharashtra's Marathwada district
49:39or Marathwada region
49:41has grappled with drought.
49:44This year,
49:45it's very different.
49:46The area is grappling
49:47with unprecedented rainfall
49:49that has resulted
49:50in flooding
49:51the entire belt
49:53and displacement
49:54of several thousand people.
49:57Villages have been inundated
49:59as rescue attempts continue.
50:01The situation remains grim.
50:04It's our Get Real India
50:05ground report today
50:07from Marathwada.
50:08Maharashtra is grappling
50:12with severe rainfall.
50:14The Met Department
50:15has issued red and orange alerts
50:17for several districts.
50:19Many parts of the state
50:21are hit by floods.
50:23In Dharashiv,
50:24a youth
50:24had a narrow escape
50:26after being swept away
50:27along with his bike
50:28on the flooded
50:29Vagholi Bridge
50:30near Kajala village.
50:33The raging waters
50:34caught him off guard
50:35but brave villagers
50:36jumped into action
50:38and rescued him
50:39just in time
50:40with a rope.
50:45A similar brush with death
50:46was reported from Lathur.
50:48A farmer from Chincholi village
50:50was washed away
50:51while trying to cross
50:52a flooded road
50:53on his bike.
50:58He was carried
50:59600 feet downstream
51:01but miraculously
51:03clung onto a tree.
51:05Escaping death,
51:07the video
51:07has now gone viral.
51:12In Sambhaji Nagar,
51:14floodwaters have left
51:15dozens of families homeless.
51:19After over 3 lakh
51:21cusacks of water
51:22was released
51:23from the Jaikwadi Dam,
51:24people along with
51:25their livestock
51:26have been forced
51:27to live on the roadside
51:29in makeshift shelters.
51:31Relief teams
51:32and local youth
51:33are providing food
51:34and essentials.
51:35in Sambhaji Nagar,
51:36the police have
51:37been forced
51:38to live on the
51:39roadside.
51:39In Sambhaji Nagar,
51:40the police have
51:40been forced
51:41to live on the
51:41roadside.
51:42.
52:12Pethan, a town in Sambhaji Nagar is flooded. Water entered several homes and shops.
52:42In Jalna district, over 8,000 people from low-lying villages were moved to safer locations.
52:58The floods have left Maratwada farmers in distress. The real scale of devastation will be known in the coming days.
53:06The Maharashtra floods have left a trail of destruction, affecting at least 45 lakh hectares of land, while the state faces a staggering 9.25 lakh crore debt.
53:21Despite financial aid of 2,215 crores over the last three months and nearly 15,000 crores over the last three years, farmers are still struggling to cope.
53:34Now, how the government handles the crisis will affect and determine the future of countless lives.
53:43With Cameraperson Sachin Sawan, myself, Ritwik Bhalikar, for India Today, Mumbai.
53:48Well, Maratwada, like several other parts of the country, in this monsoon season, urgently needs relief and rehabilitation.
53:58Climate change is here upon us and it is creating havoc in several parts of the country.
54:05I want to leave you with that thought and, of course, wish you all a happy Puja season.
54:11Today is Mahashaptami and tomorrow, of course, is Durgaashtami.
54:15I wish you all a very happy festive season and think about those less fortunate than you who are grappling with those difficult situations.
54:23Time for me to say goodbye, thanks for watching, stay well, stay safe, goodnight, Shubratri, Jai Hind, Namaskar.