ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE, prime minister:"There is nothing brave in digging up a pitch under the cover of darkness. Ifthey (Shiv Sainiks) want to fight, they should go to the border."
KAPIL DEV, ex- captain: "If wedont want to have anything to do with the Pakistanis then their embassy staff shouldbe asked to pack up and go."
V.V. KRISHNAN, cricket photographer:"Whats the point? Itll be like matches in Punjab during themilitancy with 15,000 policemen as spectators."
SAURAV GANGULY, cricketer: "We lookforward to playing them anywhere. The two sides mix very well in hotel rooms and dressingrooms. Its always good to meet them."
RAJAN BALA, cricket writer: "For thefirst time, senior players dont want to play at home. They want some rest and thelast thing they want to do is to play Pakistan at home."
HARSHA BHOGLE, commentator: "Sportshould reflect popular taste and not that of the political leadership, or of specificpolitical organisations. What constitutes patriotism should be left to the people. Wecant give them definitions of patriotism and ask them to see if they slot in."
PILOO REPORTER, ex-umpire: "If theseries doesnt happen, itll look as though the Shiv Sena has won. But if welose to Pak, itll be a big blow to our confidence before the World Cup."
ACHARYA GIRIRAJ KISHORE, politician:"By playing sports, two countries will only come together. We should not confuse theISIs designs with the Pakistan cricket tour."
SYED KIRMANI, ex-cricketer: "Whoeveris in power and whatever the political pressures, the constraints must be forgotten whenit comes to cricket. Cricket fosters peace and friendship."
B.S. CHANDRASHEKHAR, ex-cricketer:"We shouldnt set a trend of playing on neutral soil. Or else, the threats ofdisruption will start coming at the slightest pretext."
JAWID LAIQ, columnist: "Now that heis losing popularity, Thackerays only purpose is once again to incite enmity betweencommunities, a criminal offence under the IPC."
P.R. MAN SINGH, administrator: "Idont know why they are picking on only cricket.Why arent they disturbing othergames like volleyball, hockey?"
