Shiv Sena activists protesting at the BCCI office in Mumbai
The Indian and Pakistani cricket board chiefs met quietly at a hotel in Mumbai on Monday and discussed a potential bilateral series not long after Shiv Sena protests forced them to shift from a more prominent setting - the BCCI office.
This morning, activists of the Shiv Sena broke into the office of the BCCI of the Board for Control of Cricket in India just before its chief Shashank Manohar was to meet with his Pakistani counterpart Shahryar Khan.
Shiv Sena activists waving placards of "Shahryar Khan, Go Back" crashed through the gates of the office in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. They entered Mr Manohar's cabin and crowded around his desk, shouting slogans and warning him against meeting Mr Khan. At least 10 protesters were arrested, but were granted bail within hours.
Sources say Mr Manohar drove to the Trident hotel, where Shahryar Khan is staying, and spoke to him. The two are expected to meet again in Delhi tonight or tomorrow for longer talks.
The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards had signed a pact for six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.
The Shiv Sena, which rules Maharashtra in alliance with the BJP, says it will not allow any engagement with Pakistan as long as the country is involved in acts of terror.
Leaders of the BJP disagreed publicly. "Mumbai should host an India-Pakistan match and if Pakistan cricketers come, the government should protect them," said state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve.
The BJP's Anurag Thakur, who is the BCCI secretary, criticized the Shiv Sena, saying: "The Shiv Sena has to introspect. Barging inside an office is not a way to protest. At this moment there is no series between India and Pakistan. If the boards meet to discuss long term issues they should have no problem."
The Shiv Sena's protests led to legendary Pakistani artiste Ghulam Ali's concert being cancelled two weeks ago and last week, its activists threw black paint on columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising the launch of former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book.