Protests against Pataudi’s comment on hockey

Amritsar, Jan 20: Sarhad-e-Punjab Sports Club came out strongly against former test cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi for his recent comment on hockey. He advocated cricket as national game of India instead of hockey, in a television show. The Club organized a massive protest in front of Hall Gate on Tuesday. Around two hundred hockey lovers, including many from schools, colleges and universities, participated.

Some of the slogans written on the banner were striking, and is given below:

Hockey Hamara Rashtriya Khel – Pataudi Kya Karega Fail

Sirf Hockey ko hi hai Rashtriya Kehl Hone Ka Adhikaar.

Hockey Hamari Jaan – Hamari Shaan.

Pataudi, Don’t spread Lies, lie low

Hockey is Nation’s Pride; Pataudi is Nation’s Blind

Hail Hockey, Nail Pataudi

Hockey is India’s Fame, Pataudi India’s Shame.

Hockey is India’s Game, Pataudi India’s Shame

The Club president Gurinder Singh Mattu castigated Pataudi’s irresponsible comment on hockey. Quoting Indian hockey’s past achievement and its inherent potential to rise again to win the hearts of the people, he called upon the people to register their protest in whatsoever form they deemed fit.

Another speaker P.S Randhawa reminded the people that the Indian cricket team had to struggle for 20 years to win its first World Cup. Speakers remarked that there was a time when India was known for Hockey and Gandhi Ji. If the national anthem, the national flag and the national language cannot be replaced by any other song, flag and language then why must we think to replace our national game which is not only a game but the culture and heritage of India.