Why ‘Eternal Diplomat’ Sachin Tendulkar Is Facing Heat Over A Tweet

File Picture

The ‘God of cricket ‘ Sachin Tendulkar would have never imagined that a tweet of his could generate such a stir, when he wrote , India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants.
Indians know India and should decide for India. Let’s remain united as a nation.

Sachin’s tweet came along with several other Bollywood stars like superstar Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn  Karan Johar and several cricketers including  – India skipper Virat Kohli , Rohit Sharma who reacted to the tweets put out by 18 year-old Swedish teenager , a climate activist Greta Thunberg and singer Rihanna in support of the farmers agitation.

It is not wrong at all what Sachin had written or tweeted , but the reason he is facing the flak because he all along shied away from commenting on host of issues  and earned him the sobriquet of ‘eternal diplomat’.  And it is certainly not the first time Sachin has found himself under the scanner . He had faced the brunt in the past as well.

BJP has slammed the Maharashtra government for ordering probe into the tweets of icons – Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar . Saying it is an insult to Maharashtra and disgusting. Really !  If so was the insult then where was the reaction from Sachin and other celebrities  when outspoken actress Kangana Ranaut so overtly  and with audacity had the courage to call Mumbai looks Like Pok?

In his long cricket career spanning 24-years , did he  ever candidly  speak in upfront way when the match- fixing scandal  broke in 2000 came to the fore and the likes of  Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja fell from grace  ? No .  He has not spoken a word on the man who created the Indian Premier League – former IPL chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi  . Going by the cricket analogy, he preferred to leave the ball to be collected by the wicket- keeper instead.

In April 2012, Tendulkar accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination proposed by the President of India and became the first active sportsperson and cricketer to have been nominated. Yet he had in his six years  tenure  earned the dubious distinction for having the worst attendance record in parliament along with seasoned actress Rekha. One clearly does not recall any question he raised in parliament or actively participated in a debate .

Even when he was handed the nation’s highest civilian honour – Bharat Ratna in 2014 there was apparent disquiet in the sporting fraternity who felt hockey wizard Dhyan Chand could have been the first choice if at all it was to be given to a sports  person. And look what a mess he has made of the highest civilian honour – the first Bharat Ratna awardee who proudly endorses  – KENT RO Water purifier and Luminous Inverter batteries among others .

Moreover, It is time the Sachin Tendulkar realises that in New India these days if one speaks or tweets can land one in trouble . Even silence is not acceptable . It is a double edged sword literally.  Sachin would do well to note that Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi did not comment on palghar lynchings , remained silent . Yet a anchor who claims he is the only nationalist  in the country in his super prime time tamasha came out all guns blazing and even  hurling abuses and questioning her silence .  Sachin’s tweet was well intentioned  yet the fury. Bottom line is think before you speak and tweet. Since both bouquets and brickbats come together nowadays.