The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday described as “unfortunate” the Human Resource Development Ministry's query over world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand's nationality.
Shahnawaz Hussain of the party said Mr. Anand had kept the Indian flag flying high by his performance.
Raising the matter during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Hussain said India had people such as Mother Teresa and Dalai Lama, who had settled here, but questions were being raised over the citizenship of Mr. Anand, who was bestowed with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Padma awards.
Amidst cries of “shame, shame,” Mr. Hussain said it was no way to treat the chess icon, who had brought laurels to the country on more than one occasion.
Several other Opposition members also associated themselves with the issue.
