Should India’s wicketkeeper and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni be permitted to wear army insignia on his gloves while playing? In the midst of all our problems, this is the one big issue that the nation is discussing today. As usual, people on Twitter spoke their minds, in support of Dhoni but also, in some cases, not in support.
The International Cricket Council has asked the BCCI to ask M D Dhoni to remove the insignia of a unit of the Indian Territorial Army from his gloves. Individual, religious or military messages or logos are not permitted according to the rules.
Dhoni has an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army. The insignia on his glove represents that regiment.
While ICC says this is against the rules, many Indians feel aggrieved at ICC’s ruling; feeling that there is nothing wrong with sporting such a symbol.
A few months back, the Indian cricket team had sported these camo caps on the field. This was meant to be a mark of respect for the Indian soldiers who had been killed in the Pulwama attack. The match fees from that match were also to be donated to the families of the victims.
While most supported the Indian team’s gesture, some pointed out the incongruence of wearing the caps in support of the military and being sponsored by a company from a hostile nation.
Some tweeple pointed out that English player Moeen Ali had been sporting a wrist band expressing his support for Palestine; asking for the inhabitants of the Gaza area to be saved. He was asked to remove his wristbands for its political connotations and religious overtones.
Minister Kiren Rijuju tweeted his support for Dhoni, expressing the view that the sentiments and interests of the nation should be kept in mind when interpreting rules.
The English cricket team was permitted to sport this poppy insignia on their collars when playing against India in 2016. This was meant to remember Armistice Day (which ended World War I) and to signify respect for fallen soldiers.
Many on Twitter pointed out that the Pak team was permitted to offer namaaz on the field. As such, Dhoni's gloves should also be permitted.
Dhoni frequently sports the emblem of his unit and is also seen in uniform from time to time. People tweeted their support with hashtags such as #DhoniKeepTheGlove, #DhoniGloves, #DhoniKeSaathDesh.
The issue really is this: while some are supporting Dhoni and his gesture for the Indian soldier, many applaud this as a gesture against Pakistan. There are many who want Dhoni to defy ICC directions and to sport the gloves; particular on the 16th of June when India take on Pakistan at the world cup.
As this tweet points out, the Indian team went into the tournament knowing the rules. For the BCCI to ask for or expect the ICC to relax rules only for India smacks of bullying. This is something that the BCCI is frequently accused of.
Many of the tweeple feel that this is all needless outraging for no reason. Some also expressed the view that there is really no need to express overt support for the military on the sports field. They felt that sports should be about healthy international competition and athletic excellence not political or militaristic posturing.
Some commentators expressed the view that Dhoni is a patriot with or without the insignia. A lot of people feel that this is an unnecessary controversy; the job at hand is to win the world cup. So can we please get on with that job please, they ask.
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