Several Opposition leaders have voiced their backing for Trinamool Congress MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad following his social media post questioning the decision to take the T20 World Cup trophy to a temple. Azad’s concern centered on the need to uphold respect for the sentiments of people from all faiths, a sentiment echoed by various political figures.
The controversy arose when Azad criticized the act of cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, former BJP MP Gautam Gambhir, and ICC chairman Jay Shah taking the trophy to a temple. Azad’s post on social media platform X raised questions about the choice, emphasizing that the trophy symbolizes the victory of all 1.4 billion Indians, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Azad highlighted the diversity within India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, comprising individuals from various faiths, and emphasized the need to celebrate unity rather than favoring a specific religion. He underscored that the team’s victory belonged to the entire nation, not to any particular individual or group, urging for inclusive representation and respect for all faiths.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat supported Azad’s stance, emphasizing the importance of playing sports in the spirit of unity and national pride. He highlighted Azad’s concerns as valid, pointing out the need to prevent divisive incidents that could undermine the essence of sportsmanship and national unity.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji stressed the significance of being sensitive to religious sentiments in both politics and sports. She emphasized the need to ensure that sports events, involving individuals from diverse backgrounds, do not inadvertently hurt anyone’s religious feelings, advocating for a harmonious approach that respects all faiths.
Congress MLA and former national hockey team captain Pargat Singh advocated for keeping sports free from religious divisions, emphasizing equality and inclusivity across all religions. Singh highlighted the importance of maintaining a secular approach in sports, suggesting that religious affiliations should not influence sporting events to uphold the spirit of fair play and unity.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma acknowledged Azad’s right to express his views but cautioned against politicizing sporting achievements. Verma emphasized the need to celebrate the success of players independently of political considerations, urging for a focus on congratulating the T20 world champions for their accomplishments without overshadowing their achievements with political discourse.
