The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Flag issue: BCCI to approach Govt.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Flag issue: BCCI to approach Govt.

By Our Special Correspondent

The latest twist in the issue of displaying the National Flag on sporting gear will unfurl when Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI, FEB. 22. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will back the cricketers on the issue of sporting the National Flag on the helmet. Confirming the Board's stand in this regard, the BCCI President, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, said on Tuesday, "we are writing to the Government on this subject.''

The Government, in a letter, had asked the Board to restrain cricketers from using the National Flag on their cricketing gear since it amounted to showing disrespect. The Board ignored the issue for some time but now appears concerned on the eve of the series against Pakistan.

"It is a matter involving the Government and the Board and can't be taken lightly. In any case, we are going to appeal to the Government. The Supreme Court had given a ruling concerning the rights of a citizen in displaying the National Flag. In the light of the Supreme Court's directive, we would be appealing to the Government to review the matter,'' said Mr. Mahendra.

"You should wear the Flag on your heart, not on the attire," says Bishan Singh Bedi.One is inspired when the National Anthem is played with the National Flag fluttering. Please don't let the Flag down. Let not the debate be petty. Leave the flag alone.''

Congress MP Naveen Jindal, the man who initiated the debate in 1994, on the subject of the National Flag being allowed to be displayed by the common man, promised to support the sportspersons. "I have already given my representation to the Home Ministry for a suitable amendment in the flag code." Jindal won a long-drawn legal battle in 2002 to be able to fly the National Flag at his factory in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.

`Amendment needed'

By then, the Union Government had amended the flag code to liberalise the use of the National Flag. Yet, the code did not allow the flag to be used as part of a uniform or dress.

Jindal felt that an amendment would be required to specify the rules regarding the wearing of the flag. "This amendment is necessary because wearing the National Flag is not just a symbolic gesture for a sportsperson or a common man. I will try to convince the Government to find a solution at the earliest,'' said Mr. Jindal.

The most notable cricketer sporting the National Tri-colour on the helmet is Sachin Tendulkar, while Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag are among those who have not displayed the National Flag on their gear. Interestingly, Tendulkar has always used the National Flag on the top-inside part of his cricket bag.

The use of National colours on the cricketing gear has been in vogue for a few years now. Apart from cricket and hockey, the National colours are also used by choice on the sporting apparels ordered by the Indian Olympic Association for contingents for multi-discipline events like the Olympic Games and the Asian Games. The flag itself had been embroidered into the competition uniform worn by the Indian sportspersons in many such events in recent times.

The fallout of the controversy will be known on Wednesday at the Visakha cricket stadium in Hyderabad when Tendulkar walks out to bat in the Duleep Trophy match.

Our Principal Correspondent in Chennai adds

"When individuals can hoist the National Flag at their homes, I don't see why sportsmen should not display it on person during international competition. We'll be seeking further clarification on this," the BCCI President, Mr. Mahendra said.

Apparently, the ban on the cricketers was in response to the BCCI's stance that the cricketers represent Team BCCI and not Team India, while contesting the TV rights case in the Supreme Court.

Mr. Mahendra hoped the TV rights issue would be resolved well ahead of the India-Pakistan series, beginning on March 8. "Further delay will make it difficult for us. As you know, live coverage is a must in international cricket. A similar situation prevailed before the home series against Australia. The court had granted us permission for a temporary arrangement then. I feel it would be better if the issue is resolved instead of a temporary solution being arrived at once again."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport