'Balasaheb was giving Sachin fatherly advice'

Saamna defends Thackeray's rant against India's favourite sportstar

Saamna defends Thackeray's rant against India's favourite sportstar

After the furore over Bal Thackeray's statement criticising Sachin Tendulkar for calling himself "an Indian first" and saying that "Mumbai belongs to all Indians", the party tried to justify the Sena patriarch's words in today's edition of Saamna.

"Whatever Balasaheb had penned down was fatherly advice to Sachin Tendulkar, which has been accepted by the Marathi manoos," read the news item on the front page of the party mouthpiece.

It further added that that the politicians had delivered "no balls" with their remarks.

Interestingly, in the section where the comments of other netas have been printed, Sena has not only criticised other parties, but also their own alliance partner BJP, by printing senior leader Arun Jaitley's comment, 'There is nothing wrong in Sachin's comment'.

The others criticised are Rajiv Shukla, Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ashok Chavan all of whom had supported Sachin and slammed Thackeray.

Aamhi Marathi: Bal Thackeray was seething with rage over Sachin Tendulkar's statement, 'Mumbai is for all Indians. I am proud to be a Mumbaikar, but I am an Indian first'.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is a huge Sachin Tendulkar fan and admires the Mumbaikar for his towering feats and conduct off the field.

Therefore, it came as a shocker when Thackeray lashed out at Sachin through an open letter and an edit in the party mouthpiece, Saamna yesterday.

Thackeray was seething with rage over Sachin's 'Mumbai is for all Indians. I am proud to be a Mumbaikar, but am an Indian first' remark made on Friday.

Only pain, No Gain

Political analysts believe Thackeray's criticism of Sachin is an indication of a beleaguered party desperately trying to win points over Raj Thackeray's MNS, which has hijacked its Marathi manoos agenda.

Political analyst B Venkatesh Kumar said, "This is definitely about one-upmanship between the two parties. It is unfortunate because Sachin is an icon.

People won't take such criticism against such a person. People from all races, religions and languages adore him. The Shiv Sena won't gain anything and in fact, the criticism will go against them."

Added Nilu Damle, another political analyst, "The criticism should not be taken seriously. Thackeray is
merely concerned about the Marathi manoos plank.

In a way, he is right when he asks Tendulkar to concentrate on cricket and stay away from politics. It's a fair
statement."

Meanwhile, the MNS, which has eaten into the Shiv Sena's votes, has remained silent. "Nobody will comment on Tendulkar and attract the ire of his Maharashtrian fans.

Besides, we can't comment on Balasaheb. But, the comments will go against the Shiv Sena," said a senior MNS leader.

1960
The year Maharashtra came into existence

1966
The year the Shiv Sena was formed

29,951
The runs scored by Sachin in international cricket

83 years
Bal Thackeray's age

Tweeters blast 'foolish' Sena

Author Chetan Bhagat wrote, "Sachin saying he is Indian first shows that he can not only hit balls, but also has balls."

Sonam Kapoor replied to a tweet on the issue with "It's foolish." And Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor tweeted, "On Sachin and Sena, my late dad Chandran Tharoor said in '66: 'With Maharashtra for Maharashtrians and Kashmir for Kashmiris, where is India for Indians?'"

Thackeray's Edit

In an edit and an open letter to Sachin Tendulkar in Saamna, Bal Thackeray wrote, "There was no need for him (Sachin) to take a cheeky single by making such remarks.

By making these remarks, you have got run out on the pitch of Marathi psyche. You were not even born when the 'Marathi manoos' got Mumbai and 105 Marathi people sacrificed their lives for it."