THE LAP OF GREAT LOSS INSULT TO INDIAN FLAG AND CULTURE

By Firoz.T.Totanawala

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

15th April 2011 issue-

                       THE LAP OF GREAT LOSS

              INSULT TO INDIAN FLAG AND CULTURE

Sachin Tendulkar has shouldered India for 21 years and it was the time that the players carried him on their shoulders was the remark of a player soon after the final victory. They then carried Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders for a victory lap as this was his last world cup. All is well till here, but what happened next is shocking indeed. Virat Kohli had wrapped the Indian Tri- colour on his back and as the world watched, Sachin sat on his shoulders. While the Indians were rejoicing the victory, Sachin was carried for a big victory lap and he was literally sitting on the Indian flag.

Worst was the fact that while his left leg hanged down, it was touching the tri colour and his left shoe was continuously trampling the Indian honour. Let us recall that Sachin had already faced National flag disrespect controversy when he had cut a Tri colour cake few years back. This obviously means that Sachin must be well aware about the respect of national flag since the issue was severely blown up last time. Then, again committing such a disgraceful act is definitely condemnable.

Further, it is known that Champaign is a part of celebration, but, it has to be limited to the dressing room and not in public view. Players celebrate the victory opening the Champaign, drinking and dancing in the dressing room, but it was very saddening to see Sachin drinking the Champaign openly in front of the world. Sachin is a renowned player world wide and treated as a role model by many and they accept and follow his style and practices. Obviously, display of such uncultured acts in public have serious repercussions on the generations and damage the fabric of Indian culture. Worst again is that Sachin after drinking the Champaign wiped his face with the National flag he was carrying.  It was not just Sachin, but other players too did not lag behind in this matter. One does understand their ecstasy and celebrations, but, wrapping the national flag around their body, wiping their faces and sweats with the flag, with a Champaign bottle in their hands and sipping it in public glare, is definitely a deplorable act.

As per the Prevention of Insult to national Honour Act 1971, "Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both." 

The entire team including the ‘God’ Sachin in their unlimited joy and ecstasy has hurt not only the sensibilities of the people at large but also insulted the National flag by sitting on it, trampling it with the leg and shoe and wiping their face and mouth with it after drinking the Champaign.

While India lifted the trophy after 28 years and whole of India rejoiced, let us not forget that it was meant for Sachin Tendulkar. Besides, the insult to the National flag and uncultured acts by the players are perks for the nation.

Sachin Tendulkar is all around proposed for Bharat Ratna award though the criterion does not cover Sports contributions. Whatsoever, like the case of Narayan Murthy who lost his Indian President seat due to the national Anthem controversy, the Tri colour Cake controversy and the recent deplorable acts definitely go into Sachin’s accounts. And that is all……..