Bengaluru, Apr 24 (UNI) In a deeply emotional and hard-hitting message, cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday called for an end to the cycle of violence, declaring that "for the last 78 years, not one millimetre of land has changed hands. So for the next 78,000 years, nothing is going to change."

His remarks came in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 innocent lives at Baisaran meadow on Tuesday.

Appealing to the conscience of the nation and the world, Gavaskar said, "Why don’t we live in peace instead, and make our country strong? That is my appeal."

Gavaskar was speaking as a sports broadcaster ahead of the IPL 2025 fixture between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

Yesterday, the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad paid silent tribute to the victims, with players donning black armbands and the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium observing a minute’s silence. No cheerleaders, fireworks, or music accompanied the game, and the sightscreen bore the solemn message: "Let’s all stand for peace and humanity."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also denounced the attack, calling it "ghastly and cowardly." BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed solidarity with the bereaved families, stating, "The cricketing community is deeply shocked and anguished... We stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy." UNI BDN SSP