India’s Tendulkar upsets right-wing Hindus

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Monday found himself at the centre of a political storm after comments he made about his identity upset a hardline regional Hindu party.

The 36-year-old batsman, who at the weekend marked 20 years in Test cricket, said in interviews with television channels that he was an “extremely proud” Maharashtrian, referring to his home state of which Mumbai is the capital.

“But I am an Indian first. And Mumbai belongs to all Indians,” he added.

His declaration — in a country where regional identity is still fiercely guarded — provoked the ire of the founder of far-right Shiv Sena party.

“Your statement that Mumbai belongs to all India has hurt each Maharashtrian’s heart,” wrote founder Bal Thackeray in the local Marathi-language newspaper Saamna.

Indian cricket’s governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Monday reacted strongly to the row involving Tendulkar, who is seen as one of Mumbai’s greatest sons and is revered like a god by millions.

“These comments are completely uncalled for. Tendulkar is a nationalist.

He was born in India, he is for India. If somebody calls himself an Indian first, is it a crime?” said BCCI spokesman Rajiv Shukla. MUMBAI, Tuesday, AFP