We only want solution to situation involving two sailors, claims F1 team
The government has taken umbrage at the insistence by the Formula One team Ferrari to sport Italian Navy flags on its cars at this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix in a gesture of solidarity with two Italian marines facing trial in Kerala over charges of killing two fishermen.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the Italy-based Ferrari team taking part in the race could be seen as insensitive by the families of the dead fishermen. “Using sporting events to promote causes which are not of a sporting nature is not in keeping with the spirit of any sport,” said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
A day earlier, the National Fishworkers’ Forum said the government decision to allow Ferrari to carry the Italian Navy flag was an affront to Indian society at large.
Explaining the move to fly the Italian Navy ensign, the Ferrari website says that by doing so, it “pays tribute to one of the outstanding entities [the Navy] of our country, [and] also in the hope that the Indian and Italian authorities will soon find a solution to the situation involving two sailors from the Italian Navy.”
“Something which has to be clear is that we don’t want to say anything in one sense or another. We have the utmost respect for the Indian authorities. We just hope that a solution can be found as soon as possible,” a Ferrari official said.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, marines posted on an Italian merchant ship, had shot dead two Indian fishermen, apparently mistaking them for pirates, in February this year.
Keywords: Indian Grand Prix, Italian flag controversy, Indian sensitivities, Kerala fishermen killing, Italian merchant ship, India's protest
It is difficult to accept that the MEA would have said that Ferrari's participation in the race could be seen as insensitive by the families of dead fishermen. It might have said that Ferrari flying an Italian Navy flag instead of their National flag might be unsporting if not unacceptable which it is. If participation in an international event in India could be considered 'insensitive' due to any political issue, then the Pakistan cricket team (or hockey or tennis or badminton teams) might never be able to play in India or we will never be able to play in Pakistan. But if Pakistan were to say that instead of the Pakistan flag or the Pakistan cricket board flag we want to fly the 'Azad Kashmir' flag next time we play in India that should be totally unacceptable and condemnable. The MEA has been rather mild in its reaction.
"The Ministry of External Affairs said the Italy-based Ferrari team
taking part in the race could be seen as insensitive by the families of
the dead fishermen."
We have over 530 fishermen have been killed in the last 30 years by the
srilankan navy and we still train their armed forces, that too in TN.
This shows how the external ministry clearly travels in the wrong path.
Ferrari is a business concern and like Dow chemicals will do what is best for business. I would however expect sensitive Indians who received Ferrari cars gratis to return them to the company as a mark of protest.
Its depend on Indian authorities what they will think on this matter
hope they make a good decision and keep the game spirit with keep in
mind of the felling of fisherman's family.
No political motive should be promoted in a gaming event. The Ferrari case is insensitive, ruthless and against the spirit of the game.
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