Dhoni’s silence

What can M.S. Dhoni say on a matter in which he is not involved and is not aware of the facts (“Dhoni is gagged as cricket’s politicians close ranks,” May 29)? No one can say anything on the betting and match-fixing scandal in IPL 6 till the investigations are over. The media cannot speculate and give a judgment. Its job is to report and let the other pillars of democracy do their job.

Cdr. B. Vaidyanathan,

Coimbatore

The media is going overboard on Dhoni’s silence on questions on the IPL controversy during the press conference held on the eve of Team India’s departure for the Champions Trophy in England. He did the right thing by answering questions relating only to the tournament. The enquiry into the betting and spot-fixing scandal is under way. It is for the BCCI and the IPL governing council to respond to questions on the IPL.

Ram,

Chennai

By keeping silent, Dhoni disappointed those who expected him to at least condemn the betting and spot-fixing scandal. It is not only Dhoni but also other players, including former captains, who have maintained a studied silence on the matter ever since it came to the limelight. Their indifference has let down their fans.

K. Manasa Sanvi,

Hyderabad

I have always respected Dhoni for not only his captaincy but also his contribution to Indian cricket. But his credentials fell flat when he refused to answer the persistent questions from the media on the spot-fixing scandal.

He need not have taken sides; he could have responded to the questions and demonstrated that he too has a view and is an independent person. He represents India, not the BCCI.

K. Soundarrajan,

Chennai

It is not just Captain Dhoni but several netas associated with the BCCI who are keeping mum on the issue. To quote Ella Wheeler Wilcox: “To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men.”

C.T. Suresh Kumar,

Chennai

The article “All the president’s men” (May 29) was a succinct summary of the IPL tamasha. As for why, as a nation, we are not feeling bad about it, the elite and influential, who form the cusp in such scandals, occupy the tip of the pyramid. The average Indian like you and me, or probably just me, focuses on getting along wishing we could become powerful and elite. The majority focuses on acquiring the basic necessities of life. With such distractions and the government stubbornly remaining nonchalant, we have to rely on the Bhagvad Gita’s teaching for inner peace — do your work and leave the fruit to god (and, if you know well-placed people, the government).

Arpita Seth,

New Delhi