SPORTS
Forum demands positive discrimination in the MCA.
The Maha Mumbai Graduate Forum is batting for caste reservation in cricket.
The forum demanded reservation for backward caste nominees in the managing committees of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). One of the nominees proposed by the forum is Ramdas Athavale, president of the Republican Party of India.
The 12-year-old forum is of the opinion that, with the help of reservation, players from backward castes would get an opportunity to excel in the game. According to Dr Tushar Jagtap, president of the forum, mostly upper caste players are selected.
“Upper caste surnames dominate the list of players selected for various tournaments. This should stop,” he told dna on Thursday.
“Players from the backward castes have huge potential. But they are handicapped as they lack the right opportunities. Most of them end up playing at the junior level and never get a chance to play in Test or ODI-level matches.’’
Dr Jagtap maintained that his forum was working for the implementation of the preamble of the Indian Constitution which guarantees liberty, equality and freedom to all sections of society.
“We are going to write to governor of Maharashtra K Sankaranarayanan requesting him to ensure that members of the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, nomadic tribes, other backward castes and women are adequately represented in the managing committee of the MCA,’’ he said.
“Fifty per cent of the seats in the managing committee should be reserved for these categories,” he said.
“Under article 38 (1) and (2) of Constitution, the state government can introduce reservation in sports bodies,” he said.
“There are 325 cricket clubs in Mumbai and Thane. They should start implementing the reservation policy for the welfare of society.”
Noted cricketer Pravin Amre said the need of the hour is the provision of good facilities for all players irrespective of caste or creed.
Ashish Shelar, president of BJP’s Mumbai unit, said that if the proposal comes from the government, it would support it. But, as of now, there is no legal basis for this demand made by the forum, he said.
Jitendra Ahwad, state working president of the Nationalist Congress Party, refused to comment. NCP chief Sharad Pawar is in the fray for the MCA elections scheduled to be held on October 18. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and industries minister Narayan Rane and BJP leader Gopinath Munde are also likely to contest the elections.
As MCA president Ravi Sawant preferred not to comment, saying that the issue was a sensitive one, another MCA official on the condition of anonymity said it is not possible to have such reservations. “You cannot have reservation in sports, whether it is the game or the administrative aspect. We have the best administrators and best players,” he said.
Former Test cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Balwinder Singh Sandhu, too, was against reservation. “Reservation in sports, whether it is in the administrative part or the sports part, is not good. Sports should be kept out of it. For a sportsman, the game is his religion. A player is either a footballer or a cricketer, he is not known on the basis of his caste,” he said.
“If the quota system is inducted, then the sport will be finished. I think in sports whether it is the player or the administrative part, selection should be based only on merit,” he said. “Cricket is a team game. The 1983 World Cup win is the biggest example of team work or unity. We played as a team. There were no Hindus, Muslims, Christians or anyone. We were Indians. There was no question of caste. We backed each other. Either you were a batsman or a bowler. What abilities you have in yourself could help the team win,” said Sandhu.
Minahil Malik's private video leaks online, Pakistani Tik Tok star files complaint: Is the MMS fake?
DNA TV Show: Lawrence Bishnoi, big revelation behind the code name `Guruji’
BIG trouble for Gautam Adani as SEBI issues show-cause notice to Adani Energy Solutions alleging...
BCCI announces India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Mohammed Shami misses out
Kalki 2898 AD: Prabhas' epic blockbuster will be re-releasing on big screen, but there's a catch
Viral Video: Man finds cobra inside sofa pillow, leaves internet shivering, watch
'BJP orchestrated this...': Arvind Kejriwal attacked during 'Pad yatra' in Delhi, alleges AAP
First time in 23 years! India register embarrassing record in Pune Test vs New Zealand
David Warner's lifetime captaincy ban lifted six years after ball-tampering scandal, set to lead....
Ratan Tata gave Shantanu Naidu personal loan for studying MBA in Cornell University of Rs...
Meet man, who leads R 150000 crore business, but drives Rs 6 lakh car, doesn't own phone, he is...
Anant Ambani's MIL and Radhika Merchant's mother buys luxury flat for Rs 20.76 crore in...
Aishwarya Rai didn't name herself but gave title of 'most beautiful women' to Abhishek Bachchan's...
Delhi police arrests seven Bishnoi gang shooters, huge quantity of arms recovered
PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz strengthen India-Germany ties, announce visa reforms by...
How can India qualify for WTC Final if they face defeat in 2nd Test against New Zealand?
Watch: Orry steals the show in cow costume as B-Town celebs begin Halloween festivities
Who do IAS officers Tina Dabi, Anudeep Durishetty, Srushti Deshmukh, Pari Bishnoi, others report to?
BRICS unveils symbolic banknote to challenge dollar dominance
'If I don't say...': Here's what Mukesh Ambani was 'instructed' to tell NVIDIA CEO by Nita Ambani
Meet Pune's richest man who owns Rs 750 crore home, has net worth of over Rs 204300 crore, he is...
IRCTC tour package to Andaman starts from Rs 57,230 for 6 days; check all details here
Google Doodle on KK: Self-taught singer sang at hotels before winning the National Award for…
IND vs NZ: Yashasvi Jaiswal makes history in Pune, becomes youngest Indian cricketer to...
World's richest man's net worth jumps to Rs 22724431845000 due to...
Dhanteras 2024: When is Dhantrayodashi? Know date, shubh muhurat, significance
MAMI 2024: Here's why The Room Next Door, A Fly on The Wall stood out at film festival
Youngest Indian student represents India on most iconic international tech platform
PAK vs ENG test: Saud Shakeel near century as Pakistan still trails by 80 runs
Diwali, Chhath Puja 2024: Vande Bharat trains for people travelling home; check route, fare, timings
This restaurant owner refuses to serve food vlogger, says 'Main tum logo se…', watch viral video
PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet, exchange views on defence, trade, clean energy
Meet Indian who is first female CFO of HSBC in 160 years, not from IIT, IIM, she is from...
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Team India's flop show continues, all out for 156, NZ lead by 103 runs
Need for a nuanced approach and realistic expectations from BRICS+
Ranbir Kapoor doesn't even gossip, says Alia Bhatt in viral video; Sonakshi, Nargis think otherwise
India, China pull back troops; begin disengagement in Demchok, Depaang in eastern Ladakh
Meet Prashanth Rajendran: The product leader who's making big data safer for millions
Gulmarg terror attack: Security forces launch combing operation along LoC
The impact of studying abroad on career prospects for Indian students
Delhi water shortage: No water supply for 12 hours TODAY, check affected areas and advisory
Maharashtra election: Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique joins Ajit Pawar's NCP to contest from...
Centre asks Meta, X to share data again after over 80 flights get fresh bomb threats
Indian woman on Reddit worries if her name would cause issues in Germany, it is...
IMD update: Severe cyclone Dana begins landfall on Odisha coast, expected to continue till...
Delhi Air Pollution Update: Air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI drops to 283
Ratan Tata's final project: A four-storey centre, made at cost of Rs 165 crore, it is....