BSF protests as Pak bowler heckles troopers at Wagah

AMRITSAR: In probably a first such occurrence, the sanctity of the daily ceremonial parade by Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers at Attari (India) and Wagah (Pakistan) international border was violated by Pakistan cricketer Hasan Ali making belligerent gestures at the Wagah border, triggering a sharp protest from the BSF.

On Saturday, Ali began heckling the BSF troopers by making thigh-tapping and other gestures amid hoots and cheers from the crowd. Aggressive gestures by the men of two border-guarding forces during the daily parade is nothing new, but allowing a civilian to do something like this is.

In a 35-second video, a smiling Hasan Ali is seen wearing a red cap and being photographed by a Pak Ranger while hitting his thighs six times and making other aggressive gestures while looking towards the Indian side. He is also seen being encouraged by a viewer who shouts “Hasan dubara” (Hasan again) before he is led away from the arena by Pak Rangers official in civvies.

“This is nothing but violation of sanctity of parade and we have lodged protest with Pakistan Rangers,” said inspector general, BSF, Frontier, Mukul Goel, while talking to TOI on Sunday. He said viewers can do anything while watching the parade from the gallery, but no one should be allowed to disrupt the parade.

BSF had in July 2007 fashioned the daily drill by deciding to do away with the rousing gestures. However, the mellowed down drill didn't go down well with the viewers.