The Guns of Bofors had thundered again yesterday with the former Swedish
police chief, the whistle-blower in this huge scandal that hit India mid-eighties, disclosing
sensational information that there was a huge Indian cover-up to protect the
mysterious Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi. While the disclosure gave a
clean chit to a relieved Amitabh Bachchan after long 25 years the story raged
on media channels since yesterday and it created a storm in the Indian
Parliament today as opposition parties got another ruse to attack the beleaguered ruling
coalition. But by afternoon today everything about Bofors scam seemed to be forgotten as
the news about cricket’s living legend Sachin Tendulkar came up.
It was a surprise for even the hardcore and wildly speculative news
channels as the Government of India suddenly announced the nomination of Sachin
Tendulkar for a seat in Rajya Sabha, the
upper house of the Indian Parliament. Coincidentally, only this morning Sachin
along with his wife Anjali met the Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and
spent about half an hour with her in New
Delhi. This move is being considered more surprising
as there has been consistent demand from all quarters for conferring Bharat
Ratna—the highest honor of the nation—on Tendulkar, particularly after he
achieved the feat of Century of Centuries.
Interesting and heated debate has picked up immediately on why Tendulkar
ought to join politics. But does one become a politician just because of being
nominated to the upper house? Under a provision of the Indian Constitution the
President enjoys the discretion of nominating 12 eminent persons from different
fields of activity to Rajya Sabha and such nominated members have the option of
declaring his/her association with a particular political party of the house
within six months. The legendary singer of Hindi Cinema, Lata Mangeshkar, was
also a nominated member of Rajya Sabha, but she never became a politician. The
same holds for many other eminent members. Further, participating in serious
parliamentary debates and giving valuable suggestions or solid support for
justified causes cannot be taken as politicking.
Tendulkar had reportedly accepted the honor and he would be the first
ever active sportsman to get nominated. Now, it should be entirely left to him if
he decides to join active politics or not. If he does join then his retirement
from cricket should be round the corner. Why speculate and waste energy? Anyway,
it is recognition for a legend. And, why to cry hoarse if some worthy people
become part of a political system ruled by ruthless opportunists?
