Stick to cricket, Bal Thackeray tells Sachin

MUMBAI: Ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is at the centre of a storm over his statement that Mumbai is for all. Just as things quietened down after the violent Assembly session in Maharashtra over the use of Hindi, Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray on Monday virtually read the Riot Act and told Sachin to stick to cricket and not play politics.

(In an interaction with the media on his completing 20 years in international cricket, Tendulkar said: “I am a Maharashtrian and I am extremely proud of that. But I am an Indian first. And Mumbai belongs to all Indians.”)

Mr. Thackeray, in a front-page, signed letter addressed to Sachin in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna, said: “You left your usual ground and entered the political arena and you said everyone in India has an equal right over Mumbai. Sachin, hearing these words, the Marathi heart is torn. What was the need to say this? What was the need to fuel the migration into Mumbai? While speaking of Marathi pride why did you have to take a “cheeky single” by bringing in Mumbai? You have been run out from the pitch of the Marathi heart.”

Mr. Thackeray said: “When you hit a four or a six, people appreciate you but the ‘Marathi manoos’ will not tolerate an infringement of their rights or comments which will hurt them. Don’t lose the gains in the cricket field by entering the political arena.”