P-Chidambaram
With his simple statement criticizing the IPL’s insult to Pakistani cricket players P. Chidambaram has absolved the government of all responsibility in the sorry matter. He is a rare wise man in a country where politicians only add fuel to fire.
TO ALL the readers of Merinews I wish Happy Republic Day, the day when apart from all religious books, the best compilation of the wisest and farsighted ideas in the book form “The Indian constitution” was implemented. Let us forget the mockery that Indian politicians have made of this holy Indian book. Gimmick and cheap publicity have always been the name of his game.
A wise man is generally known for the following attributes:
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. He has insight, common sense, good judgment, a wise outlook, a plan and a course of action. He is bold and courageous.
India is blessed with a Home Minister who seems to be in possession of all the above qualities.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said ignoring Pakistani cricketers for the Indian Premier League’s third season was a “disservice to cricket”, but said the government didn’t give any “hint or nudge” to the league or the teams to do so.
“I think it is a disservice to cricket that some of these players were not picked. I don’t know why the IPL teams acted in the manner they acted. But certainly to suggest that there was a hint or nudge from the government is completely untrue,” the Minister told a news channel. Chidambaram said some of the cricketers were “among the best in Twenty20” and he was disappointed that they wouldn’t be playing in the IPL. “Cricket lovers are disappointed that no player from Pakistan was picked. I think that could have been avoided. We gave the visas and we have nothing to do with this,” he said. Asked if Pakistan was over-reacting on the issue, Chidambaram said, “If no player from a country is picked, obviously the country does feel insulted. But whether the reaction is proportionate or not it is not for me to comment.”
Let Manish Tewari and Shukla hide their heads in shame for speaking off the cuff.
And now listen to a neutral foreigner who could have had a vested interest but he is showing the courage to call a spade a spade. Rajasthan Royals coach Darren Berry revealed that the team was eyeing Umar Akmal but something “sinister was bubbling behind the scenes” that resulted in a collective snub to the Pakistani players at the auction. “I do not have all the information — and possibly never will as this was a very delicate issue played out behind the scenes. However, I do know — due to my coaching role with the Rajasthan Royals — that a few weeks ago Umar Akmal was No 1 priority on the Royals’ shopping list,” Berry was quoted as saying by The Age. “All of a sudden he was not available. As the auction unfolded live on TV in India, it became evident that it wasn’t just Umar Akmal who was in the no-go zone, but all of the Pakistan players,” he said.
Berry said Shahid Afridi & Co are justified when they say they feel slighted. “I am staggered at the treatment of the Pakistan players. I agree with Afridi that he and his countrymen were humiliated at the auction.
“The question is: why were they allowed to stay in the auction if no one was going to bid for them? Something far more sinister was bubbling behind the scenes and the players themselves knew nothing about it. It’s unfortunate that two very proud cricketing nations are again at loggerheads,” he said.
Now I say – It’s high time for the Pakistanis, mad Wahabbi Talibanis and their patrons around the world to realize that India is a country where the people have the courage to speak the truth. They can stand for principles. Forget the radical and fringe elements in India. They don’t represent India. The true Indians are broad-minded, honest, courageous, accommodative and not religiously blinkered like them.
It’s not simply the game of cricket but the Indian values which you have upheld Chidambaram.
