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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

‘Tiger’ backs ‘Cockroach’

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) became the first political party to openly support the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched by a Maharashtra youth Abhijeet Dipke who launched a huge protest in New Delhi on Saturday. In a strong statement, SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray threw his weight behind the CJP as thousands of youngsters hit the streets of New Delhi in the scorching sun, not for politics but for their future. “Those whom we call the architects of the nation's future have come...

‘Tiger’ backs ‘Cockroach’

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) became the first political party to openly support the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) launched by a Maharashtra youth Abhijeet Dipke who launched a huge protest in New Delhi on Saturday. In a strong statement, SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray threw his weight behind the CJP as thousands of youngsters hit the streets of New Delhi in the scorching sun, not for politics but for their future. “Those whom we call the architects of the nation's future have come out carrying their pain, frustration and anxiety about their future. It is wrong to ridicule them as ‘cockroaches’ and deny them justice,” said the SS (UBT) Tiger. Thackeray said the recent NEET paper leak scandal had shattered the dreams of lakhs of students and their families, raising questions in the minds of youngsters whether merit still matters – as the movement which started on social media has spilled onto the streets across the country. “All these aggrieved young men and women are now raising their voices by becoming ‘cockroaches’. The government must listen to their demands. Do not underestimate the ‘cockroaches’ – this is the warning given by the agitation (today) at Jantar Mantar,” said Thackeray sharply. The SS (UBT)’s supportive stance came against the backdrop of mounting anger among students over the alleged irregularities in major public examinations like NEET, CBSE, CUET, and recruitment processes, which has shaken confidence in the country's education system. The Protest Around dawn, Dipke, 30 – who launched the online movement three weeks ago from the USA – reached India as thousands of supporters waited patiently and peacefully near the Parliament Street Police Station. Many waved the National Tricolour, copies of the Constitution or books of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, others carried flowers which they offered to the 1000-plus alert security personnel deployed there, and several sported symbolic cockroach masks. In a brief address, Dipke accused the government of focusing more on the CJP’s online presence than on the serious issues raised by the students. “You may be able to delete our posts, but you cannot erase us from this space,” he roared, amid loud cheers and thundering applause from the crowd. He said there must be accountability in the form of the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, failing which the CJP will continue its protests in New Delhi and also other parts of India. Anticipating detention after his homecoming, Dipke: “I was fully prepared to sacrifice my freedom for this cause.” In a warm gesture, environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk arrived from Ladakh to join the protest, declared himself as an ‘Honorary cockroach’ and expressed solidarity with Dipke. “People ask what is achieved through protests, sit-ins and marches. It proves that we are alive. The government may treat us like insects, but we are alive and capable of fighting for our rights,” mocked the CJP in a social media statement The CJP volunteers repeatedly urged the protestors to maintain decorum and make their impact in a democratic manner, which the crowds adhered to, but raised full-throated slogans intermittently, even as the protest ended without any untoward incidents. Incidentally, the Delhi Police granted permission for the demonstrations by allowing the crowds to gather directly at Jantar Mantar grounds as a ‘one-time exemption’. Demonstrations expressing solidarity to the cause were held in different parts of the country while tight security was deployed outside Dipke’s home in Chhatrapati Sambhajinar. Why are students forced to agitate?: Aaditya Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said why the students are being compelled to agitate when they should be planning out academic future and career options. “The young students exposed the NEET leak scam, or the CBSE marks scandal. The minister should have resigned or should have been sacked, some officials have been transferred but not suspended. The government should be ashamed of the situation,” said Aditya.

India-Pakistan Cricket Rivalry on Life Support?

Oh, the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry – that age-old spectacle where borders blur, families feud over flat screens, and street vendors hawk flags like they’re going out of style. Remember when it was the stuff of legends? Tense chases, nail-biting finishes, and enough drama to make Bollywood blush. But let’s be honest, folks: at the World Cup stage, this so-called “epic clash” is starting to feel less like a thriller and more like a predictable rom-com where one side always gets the girl – and the trophy. With India’s stranglehold now at an absurd 16-1 overall in ICC World Cup matches (combining ODI and T20 formats), including that fresh 61-run thrashing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, it’s time to ask: is this rivalry dying a slow, sarcastic death? Spoiler: yes, and it’s hilarious how we’re all pretending otherwise.


Let’s rewind to the glory days, shall we? Back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, these matches were pure adrenaline. Sachin Tendulkar dismantling Shoaib Akhtar like he was swatting a pesky fly, or Wasim Akram making Indian batsmen question their life choices. The hype was real – billions tuned in, economies paused, and even non-cricket fans pretended to care. But fast-forward to today, and it’s like watching a heavyweight boxer spar with a featherweight who’s forgotten his gloves. India shows up, flexes its billion-dollar IPL muscles, and Pakistan… well, they try. Bless their hearts.


Take the stats, for instance. In the ODI World Cup, India has a flawless 8–0 record against Pakistan. That’s right – zero losses. Not a single one. It’s like Pakistan’s been auditioning for the role of ‘eternal underdog’ and nailing it every time. Then there’s the T20 World Cup, where the ratio is 8–1 in India’s favour, with Pakistan’s lone victory coming back in 2021 – a ten-wicket drubbing that felt like a glitch in the matrix. Oh, how the mighty have… stayed mighty on one side. That 2021 win was Pakistan’s mic-drop moment, but since then? Nada. Zilch. India just keeps adding to the tally, like they’re collecting Pokémon cards instead of World Cup scalps.


And the 2026 T20 World Cup clash? Pure comedy gold. India posts 175, thanks to Ishan Kishan’s fireworks (77 off who-knows-how-many, but it looked effortless), and Pakistan crumbles to 114 like a house of cards in a monsoon. Jasprit Bumrah and crew turned it into a bowling clinic, while Pakistan’s batsmen played like they were allergic to runs. Usman Khan’s 44 was the highlight – yay, participation trophy! – but the rest? Babar Azam, once hailed as the next big thing, looked like he was batting with a borrowed willow from the ‘90s. It’s almost sad, if it weren’t so predictably funny. Viewership hit record highs at 16.


Three million digitally, surpassing even the 2024 final, proving that even in its lopsided state, this ‘rivalry’ still sells like hot samosas. But why? Morbid curiosity? Or are we all just hoping for that one-in-a-million upset?


Sarcasm aside (okay, not really), the dying embers of this rivalry stem from a cocktail of factors. First, India’s rise as a cricket superpower. With a population of 1.4 billion, endless talent pools, and a league that turns rookies into rockstars overnight, Team India is a well-oiled machine. They’ve got depth in batting, bowling that could dismantle fortresses, and fielding that’s evolved from ‘catch it if you can’ to Olympic-level acrobatics. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been plagued by inconsistency – think musical chairs with captains, boardroom dramas that rival soap operas, and a talent pipeline that’s more a leak than flow. Remember when Mohammad Yousuf lamented how that 2021 win inflated egos? “Everyone began to think there’s no one better than us,” he said, and poof – back to reality with a string of losses. It’s like Pakistan peaked too early and forgot the script calls for comebacks, not complacency.


Humour me for a second: imagine if this were any other sport. In football, if Brazil had thrashed Argentina 16–1 over decades, we’d call it a mismatch, not a rivalry. Fans would yawn, sponsors would flee, and commentators would recycle the same tired lines about ‘history’ and ‘passion"’. But cricket? Nah, we amp it up with montages of past glories, celebrity cameos, and enough pre-match build-up to launch a space shuttle. “The greatest rivalry in sports!” they proclaim, while India casually extends the streak. It’s like hyping a boxing match between Mike Tyson in his prime and… well, me after a heavy lunch. Entertaining? Sure. Competitive? Please.


Don’t get me wrong – there’s still magic in the air when these two line up. The anthems blare, the crowds roar (or, in Colombo’s case, monsoon permitting), and for those first few overs, anything feels possible. Pakistan has the raw talent – think Shaheen Afridi’s swing or Haris Rauf’s pace – to turn tides on their day. But ‘their day’ has been as rare as a quiet commentary box. And with India’s dominance showing no signs of slowing the ICC must be rubbing its hands in glee. More views, more money, even if the on-field product is about as balanced as a seesaw with an elephant on one end.


So, is the rivalry dead? Not quite – it’s on life support, sustained by nostalgia and nationalism. But let’s call it what it is: a one-sided affair that’s lost its bite. Pakistan needs a revival – better governance, consistent selections, and maybe a dash of that old-school grit. Until then, these World Cup encounters will remain predictable pageants, where India struts and Pakistan stumbles. Funny? Absolutely. Riveting? Only if you enjoy watching the same punchline over and over. Here’s hoping for a plot twist in 2027’s ODI World Cup – because if India makes it 17–1, we might as well rename it the ‘India Invitational’. After all, in cricket’s theatre of dreams, even lopsided scripts need a hero’s comeback. Pakistan, the stage is yours… if you can find it.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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