Outraged protestors slam penalties on Sachin, others

Protestors took to the streets in Calcutta and other cities on Wednesday as outraged Indians slammed as 'racist and discriminatory' the severe penalties imposed on six members of the Indian cricket team currently touring South Africa.

Angry cricketers, parliamentarians and the media joined millions of Indians to demand that match referee Mike Denness, who imposed the heavy penalties on, among others, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, be immediately replaced.

Reacting furiously most demanded that New Delhi intervene in the matter to ensure the penalties for alleged malpractices are withdrawn. Some even suggested that the tour be called off to protest against the 'racist' bid.

As the news of the heavy penalties got top billing in the media, angry lawmakers said the penalties on Tendulkar, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and four others 'insulted the integrity of Indians'.

Two leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said they would move Parliament on Thursday to censure Denness.

"The penalties given to the Indian players are highly suspect as South African players indulge in similar misdemeanours all the time but escape punitive action," BJP MP Madan Lal Khurana said.

"This is discriminatory," he added.

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, an MP of the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal party said: "Denness should be dismissed. We cannot tolerate this insult."

He alleged, "The penalties were vindictive as an Indian probe last year nailed former captain Hansie Cronje for match-fixing."

Shiv Sena's Pritish Nandy agreed and said: "The whole thing smacks of revenge. We shouldn't play with South Africa if they misbehave."

Denness found Tendulkar, Ganguly and four others guilty of malpractices during the second India-South Africa test match that ended at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. He suspended each for one match, fining each three-fourths of his match fees.

Denness named Tendulkar for 'tampering' with the ball and booked the others for 'excessive appealing'. Ganguly got the stick for failing to discipline his team.

But defenders of the Indian team said television replay show Tendulkar 'cleaning the dirt off the ball' and that even South African players appealed excessively.

"The penalties should be removed straightaway," cricketer-turned-MP Kirti Azad said.

"It's racism and double standards. The government has bestowed them with top awards like Arjuna, Padma Shri and others. How can we take it lying down?" he asked.

Congress party MP Mani Shankar Aiyer said: "That matters relating to sport can be decided on prejudice is a tragedy for South Africa which has only recently been able to come out of years of apartheid."

Former India coach Gurcharan Singh termed Denness' verdict as 'nonsense'.

"Removing mud from the ball is not a sin. We coach bowlers on how to do that," he said.

"The decision lacks common sense," he added.

India's tour of South Africa : Complete coverage

--Indo-Asian News Service

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