New Delhi: Several items are banned at cricket stadiums in India, which are specified in match tickets. Though it varies from venue to venue, there are some standard objects which are not allowed such as water bottles, cans, lighters, cigarettes, explosive materials, sharp objects, etc.
Now, there is an addition to the list at specific venues of IPL 2023.
Spectators attending their favourite team’s matches at Delhi, Mohali, Hyderabad and Motera (Ahmedabad) will not be allowed to carry protest banners related to Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), according to a PTI report.
‘Paytm Insider’, the ticketing partner of franchises like Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, has listed banners related to CAA/NRC Protest among ‘prohibited items’.
The advisory has been issued by the franchises – which manage ticket sales of their respective home matches — in consultation with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Though sporting events are not meant to allow publicity of any sensitive political or policy issue, there have been instances of protest banners being displayed at cricket stadiums earlier.
The CAA, passed by Parliament on December 12, 2019, triggered countrywide protests as it was seen as discriminatory on the basis of religion.