Archive · 18 Sep 2025
Cricket and Pilgrimages: India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
Tensions between India and Pakistan are getting worse.
In a cricket match, the Indian team didn't shake hands with the Pakistani team.
Also, India stopped Sikh pilgrims from visiting Pakistan for a religious celebration.
This is making it hard to have normal relations between the two countries.
Some people believe that sports and religion should be kept separate from politics so that things don't get worse.
India-Pakistan relations are strained, with 'cricket diplomacy' becoming a thing of the past.
The Indian cricket team did not shake hands with the Pakistani team after a recent match.
The Indian government barred Sikh pilgrims from visiting Pakistan for Guru Nanak Jayanti.
The decision regarding pilgrims has been met with criticism in India.
Some believe sport is being used for political agendas, escalating tensions.
- Who
- India and Pakistan
- What
- Increased tensions reflected in sports and religious events
- When
- Recent times
- Where
- India and Pakistan
- Why
- Due to rising jingoism and political agendas.
Those Favoring Diplomacy
Those Using Jingoism
Sport & Politics
Those Favoring Diplomacy
Sport should not be used for political agendas, and should be a bridge where politics has failed.
Those Using Jingoism
Using sports to further political goals and hyper-nationalism.
Religious Pilgrimage
Those Favoring Diplomacy
Faceless pilgrims and their faith should not get caught up in a tug of war between nations.
Those Using Jingoism
Using faith to further political goals and hyper-nationalism.
- Event
- India-Pakistan relations
- Key Issues
- Cricket diplomacy, pilgrimage restrictions
- Indian Government Action
- Barred Sikh pilgrims from visiting Pakistan for Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Cricket Incident
- Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistani counterparts
- Quote
- Sport has been reduced to a tool for jingoism.
Sources
Mann slams pilgrimage ban to Pak; security threat, says BJP leader
‘Cricket a game, pilgrimage is faith’: MP Randhawa urges PM Modi to allow Nankana Sahib visit, reopen Kartarpur Corridor
Sikh leaders urge New Delhi to lift ban on pilgrimage to Pakistan's Kartarpur shrine
Pakistani Sikh leaders urge India to allow pilgrims for Guru Nanak Dev’s death anniversary at Kartarpur
Punjab Congress Chief Urges PM Modi, Amit Shah To Allow Sikh Pilgrims To Nankana Sahib On Prakash Utsav