The Hard Facts | Prayer & Prejudice: Jai Sri Ram & The Sport of Secular Cherry Picking

India won a famous victory against Pakistan. But instead of basking in the glory of the win several self-appointed caretakers of secularism in our country turned apoplectic. As the lights dimmed in Ahmedabad’s Modi stadium these high priests of tolerance were writing dirges in the dark about the future of Indian secularism. They accused Jai Sri Ram chanting cricket fans of blotting the glorious secular traditions of the great game. They lamented the supposedly irreparable damage caused to India’s unimpeachable standards of hospitality.

For this they solely blamed BJP’s brand of Hindutva politics that they claimed was giving rise to brigades of “Bajrangis" warring to inexorably turn India into a Hindu Rashtra.

Is this ire directed at, and let’s just say it, Hindu cricket fans deserved?

Not if you examine the facts.

On several occasions we’ve watched sports on telly, and we’ve seen fans around the world sing their favourite anthems to raise the morale of their favourite players. It’s as if the fans know that while sports like football or cricket enjoy cult like status on Earth, they are all vulnerable to uncertainties that seem to be scripted by a bigger player. So, they’ve learned the hard way that it is often futile to just place their faith on cricketing or footballing gods here on Earth. At times you just go upstairs. To the bigger player, to a higher altar.

And so, Pakistan’s players and of course Pakistanis watching cricket will sing their religiously loaded national anthem lustily. Cricket fans and players alike will offer the Namaz in the stands and on the cricket field. But you won’t hear any of the so-called secular politicians of our country question the commitment of Pakistan’s cricketers or their fans to secularism?

The English cricket team and its boisterous fans sing ‘God Save the King’ routinely in high octave from the bleachers. This is as you know England’s national anthem. On many grounds you will see the Cross of St. George fluttering in the breeze. But no one pounces on the fans waiving the religious symbol to declare them latter – day crusaders.

Is this because there is simply no link between a fan’s religious belief and his attitude to a sport or to player of an opposing side. Britain let’s not forget is a Christian state but that hasn’t stopped its citizens from being tolerant. In fact, if credible poll survey results are to be believed, the majority of Britons don’t even describe themselves as Christians or even religious anymore.

Before every Rose Bowl final in America a performer is enlisted to sing “America the Beautiful". The fans sing along with gusto. The chorus never fails to lift spirits. To inspire and unite. But if you were to pay close attention to the lyrics, you’ll realise that the anthem is a religious invocation. America may not be a Christian state, but it is an unabashedly Christian nation. Still, no one dismisses all the spectators as Christian fundamentalists.

Flags of at least 64 countries bear religious symbols. Do all those who wave these flags at matches do so because they are flying the banner for an imminent religious inquisition?

So, then why is the ire of secularists only directed towards Indian cricket fans who invoke the lord’s name or ISRO scientists who perform a puja to ensure their mission is blessed?

If the laws of cricket were as unfair, as discriminatory as the fatwas of the secular lobby India would never win.