Former Rajya Sabha MP and Rashtriya Janata Dal national vice-president Shivanand Tewari on Friday sparked controversy, saying that Sachin Tendulkar was “not fit to get Bharat Ratna”. The senior RJD leader made the statement referring to Tendulkar’s recent tweet after supporting international pop star Rihanna and climate activist Greta Thunberg’s Farmers Protes.
According to the Indian Express, while speaking to reporters, Tiwari said, “Farmers live in villages and don’t know about Twitter and what is being written here. Once two foreigners support farmers, Tendulkar Jumped into the debate. Tendulkar is the brand ambassador of many products and he did not deserve to get Bharat Ratna. There are many deserving people like Dhyanchand who should have got it. ”
Following this statement by Tiwari, there has also been a sharp reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal United (JDU). BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said, “I wonder if Sachin Tendulkar should not have received the Bharat Ratna, who else deserved it? Shivanand Tiwari is old and does not know what he is talking about. He needs a good Needs a psychiatrist. ”
JDU spokesman Nikhil Mandal said, “If Sachin did not deserve the Bharat Ratna for his extraordinary valor, should he be given the Bharat Ratna for giving water bottles to the players in the field? What Sachin said was very true There is nothing wrong that Indians are capable of solving their own problems. ”
On the other hand, RJD disassociated itself with Tiwari’s statement. RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari said, “This may be the personal opinion of Shivanand Ji. The party does not take responsibility for their views. Tendulkar is a great cricketer and deserves the highest civilian honor. ”
