The events of April 10 when protesters were trying to disrupt the IPL cricket match (CSK versus KKR) in Chennai in the backdrop of demands for a Cauvery water management board were disturbing.
The need for constituting a management board as stipulated by the Supreme Court has been expressed in so many ways, in Tamil Nadu and in Delhi, in the form of demonstrations, bandhs, stopping rail movement, filing a contempt petition in the Supreme Court and even disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
Those behind the events on April 10 are well aware of these details and I am amazed why they are agitated now. What has the game of cricket to do with this? The incidents of violence and aggression against the police and cricket fans were shocking. At one point I was worried that the fans might retaliate but was happy that the police were able to handle the situation in a professional manner and calm frayed tempers.
One has to compliment top police officials for the way they deftly handled the situation.
I must also comment on the decision to shift IPL matches scheduled in Chennai to another venue for security reasons.
In my capacity in the police force in the past, including as the former DGP, and having handled such matches before, I am sad that a situation has arisen in Chennai where the future of sporting events being conducted is now in doubt despite strenuous efforts by the police to keep the peace. Given that the State has been the nursery for cricketing greats, any decision to shift cricketing events out of the State or city will be a great loss for sports enthusiasts.
I would appeal to the BCCI to reconsider its decision to shift the IPL venue. I am sure that the police will be more than able to guarantee the safety and security of players, officials and fans.
V. Vaikunth,
Chennai
One wonders why politicians and political groups are targeting the IPL matches to be held in Chennai. Have they forgotten that they are conducted neither by the Central government nor the Karnataka government against whom the protests are being directed? The matches are just pure and harmless entertainment involving players from across India and abroad. It is surprising that the new political hopefuls in Tamil Nadu, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who are quick to say that their politics are different, are silent on the issue and behaving like typical politicians.
D.R. Srinivasan,
Bengaluru
It is unfortunate that the Cauvery issue has now robbed countless cricket fans in Chennai of an opportunity for healthy and good entertainment,. Chepauk, a happy hunting ground for CSK, seems jinxed if one considers how politics over the Sri Lankan issue led to the game being marred. However, it would be a monumental folly to allow politics to intrude into the sports arena.
P.K. Varadarajan,
Chennai
The aggressive manner in which the protests were held in Chennai during the IPL have sullied the image of Chennai, a city which boasts of a wonderful reputation for exemplary behaviour by sports fans along with their deep sporting knowledge. Why should cricket be used to score a political victory? Now that it has been decided to move CSK’s home matches out of the city, fans in Chennai will have to find ways of getting over their bitter disappointment. Unfortunately for now, it is cricket that has taken a ‘free hit’.
R. Sivakumar,
Chennai
