Sports

The great Sachin Tendulkar might lose his Bharat Ratna

Resident of Bhopal filed a petition stating Sachin uses the 'fame' of award to 'endorse products and earn money'

Sports Desk June 20, 2015

A file photo of Sachin Tendulkar receiving the Bharat Ratna from then President Pranab Mukherjee. PHOTO: REUTERS

A resident of Bhopal, V K Naswah, has filed a petition against Indian cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar to strip him off his Bharat Ratna award which he thinks the cricketer has used for ‘earning money by endorsing commercial products’.

In a report published by the Press Trust of India, The Madhya Pradesh High Court has admitted a petition which has alleged Sachin of using the ‘fame’ of the honour in a dishonourable way.

A high court bench comprising Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice KK Trivedi yesterday issued a directive to Assistant Solicitor General to find out if there are any Supreme Court guidelines (do's and dont's) for Bharat Ratna awardees and get back to it in a week's time.

Naswah stated that Sachin has made many world records for the country in the game of cricket and is a popular figure but using the highest civilian award to promote commercial products and earn money was against the dignity, legacy and tenets of the award.

Naswah demanded that Sachin should be stripped by the government of the honour or he should himself return the award on moral grounds.

Sachin endorses more than 12 brands including Aviva Life Insurance, Boost (malt-based nutrition drink), MRF, Luminous and realtor Amit Enterprises. He retired from all forms of cricket in November 2013.

The story originally appeared on NDTV

Correction: An earlier version of the article had incorrectly noted that Tendulkar had retired last year. The error is regretted.

COMMENTS (26)

amul tamboli | 9 years ago | Reply Dear People (who are opposing Sachin on Bharatratna), First of all its surprising to know about this category of educated people who are raising voice against Sachin Tendulkar and his Bharat Ratna. The persons may not have the ability to even stand in front of him and talking this non sense. First they should see, what is their contribution and achievement in life, then they should open their mouth. It is just not needed to discuss why Sachin has got BharatRatna? His whole life and dedication is an universal example of Inspiration and he is unique of this kind, India is fortunate to have a person like him. Others who say - he is making use of bharat ratna to earn money.' should learn and understand that he was regarded as one of the richest player before getting bharat ratna also. Still if they urge they should provide legal papers those put that Bharat ratna awardees can not do any advertisement legally. It is insulting to raise such issues also and for this Sachin should file a petition against such raisers. Lastly, if you cant praise someone atleast dont abuse him. He is the best and our inspiration, not to me alone, to crores around the world not just as a sport person, as a human being, a motivator, a sports entrepreneur and the real ratna of Bharat...that our Sachin Tendulkar...

Jugal Bharadwaj | 9 years ago | Reply @Poochayin: May be this is happen only in India.People protest of good cause.A person who is a reason for the smile of a million people.Inspiration to a billion people..for whose retirement million cries and mainly who is a honest person.He deserved Bharat ratna. . He never endorse tobacco or alcohol for the welfare of society and He bear 200 poor orphan's study expenses.what else he can do.....??? everyone love to earn money...He earn money by a legal way.He always care for our country and our society. As a politician also he has developed two underprivileged. Villages. . We should respect him as the whole world where cricket. Is familiar respect him with heart.I really. Proud. to be an Indian and one of the reason is SACHIN TENDULKAR.THE REAL BHARAT RATNA.

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M L K Rao | 9 years ago | Reply There is nothing surprise in the recent past that awards are a commodity available in market for a price, the price may be anything. May be political leverages, or personal influences. or Money Power.. Mr Sachins case is no exception. Morales in the Highest hierarchies are valued down so much that it is better not talk about it. Mr Sachin always played cricket for his personal image and unbeaten records but never to Nations Pride. .

sujit | 9 years ago | Reply sachin gave 40 crores to the northeast states.. we got world cup 2011 only bcoz of sachin's great effort for our country's cricket.. only for him, India now became d richest cricketing institution of d world.. out of d earning of bcci, d sports comitte of india takes a 24%(led by d central govt.).. in last 5 years sports comitee has taken a huge amount of 1356 crores(estimated)... now please tell me if sachin was not palaying cricket then govt. wont get 1356 crores... dont judge sportsman by their one move.. just look what he contributed to india.... he also made an institution named EDUCATION FOR ALL by which 47000 children got opportunity to study... if anyone require more greatness abt sachin then call me at 8093391275...

ibnarastoo | 9 years ago | Reply What is this? What is this news item and all these Indian hordes doing on a pakistani website? This is not nice. You are supposed to interact in a non violent non intrusive way with people not in such an invasive forceful way. If we don't want you guys around why are you forcing yourself and your opinions and your news stories and your culture on us? Is this your way of saying you miss the millenia of Mughal / Islamic / British rule ?

Arsha | 9 years ago | Reply @Sudarshan: Excelling in any sport is a great contribution to society. Why is there the condition that the individual cannot make money out of it? Does his endorsement of any brands take away from his effort, talent and hard work that he would have put in to reach the height that he did?

Baloch | 9 years ago | Reply As a Pakistani, do I care? No.

C. Nandkishore | 9 years ago | Reply Lata is Bharat Ratna but she still sings and earns by singing. NDA awarded it to her. She is basically a good long living filmi singer. Nothing classical or original. Nobody filed a case against her. However I remember a recent case where a Telugu film actor was instructed by the court not to use his Padma Shree award in the film posters.

Suresh | 9 years ago | Reply No Doubt, he's a great cricketer. But certainly not deserving of the highest civilian award. Congress party hoped to gain some fans with such an act, politicizing with even the highest award of the country. We all know how good he's as an MP. Blind crazy followers will only cry victimhood.

citizen | 9 years ago | Reply @Veera: Bharat ratna is awarded to people who have made great contribution to society. Tell me hat contribution Mr. Sachin has made. The award was a politically motivated one, a desperate last ditch effort from congress. If sachin has any self respect he should return Bharat Ratna.

AA | 9 years ago | Reply @SuperNeo: Yeah Right !!!! Here is some facts about Indian Judicial System According to Freedom in the World 2013, the judiciary, particularly at the lower levels, is reportedly rife with corruption, and most citizens have great difficulty securing fair case resolution through the courts. Similarly, the Human Rights Report 2013 states that judicial corruption is widespread. Citizens report that court procedures are very slow and complicated, and the court system fuels the use of bribes and other kinds of influence peddling. People give bribes to obtain a favourable judgment, but bribes are also used to influence public prosecutors. Almost half of the respondents in the Global Corruption Barometer 2013 felt that the judiciary was corrupt or extremely corrupt. According to the Human Rights Report 2012, bribes are sometimes paid to move a case more rapidly through the system. According to Freedom in the World 2013, judges have in recent years initiated several contempt-of-court cases against activists and journalists, raising questions about their misuse of the law to intimidate those who expose the behaviour of corrupt judges or those who question verdicts. Please don't throw insults," Pakistan has courts and they functions the way Indian courts does. No one is better, both countries are struggling for betterment leave it to that

hzr | 9 years ago | Reply Time it was taken back.Except for swinging his bat there is no contribution to the society and foolishly this generation is helping make even more money.What is so great about him After his Bibliography the only thing that still eludes him is a literary award and all for his personal glory...

SuperNeo | 9 years ago | Reply @Rumormonger: We dont have banana nation kind of situation. we have courts !!! you can't understand

SuperNeo | 9 years ago | Reply @Bewildered: Stay Bewildered.... lame comment

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Nobody can take away this prestigious award from Sachin. He is a god and most loved person in India.

Prachin | 9 years ago | Reply Pls. don't call him as great just because he has excelled in Cricket. This fellow who is spending about 400 crores for his house in Karnataka, was expecting the Central Govt to waive the duty on his Imported car. Such a selfish man will never be called as a great.

shiv | 9 years ago | Reply Congress made india worse.Hundreds of scam.Nothing innovative.Congress misused power.They looted india.Bharat Ratna lost its credibility by politicising.

ranjan | 9 years ago | Reply There is some substance in the allegation against Sachin Tendulkar for which the Hon'ble High Court has admitted the petition. So, 'The person filing this trivial cases should be punished' does not hold good. Why be afraid of facing the law of the land? Let the Court decide whether Sachin has violated the provisions of the Award by earning ad money.

Sudarshan | 9 years ago | Reply @Veera: ya It was UPA's fault of devaluing Bharat Ratna. Bharat Ratna is awarded who have great contribution to society. Not that a great magician or a great cricketer who is earning money out of cricket and show should be conferred Bharat Ratna.

pravhu | 9 years ago | Reply The award is politicised ... Congress needed vote so famous personalities are awarded keeping vote I mind ... Now a days awards also given on priority bases...

Rumormonger | 9 years ago | Reply Indians cannot even keep themselves from being jealous of their own heroes. Caste system mentality.

Richa | 9 years ago | Reply Well Sachin Tendulkar retired from all forms of cricket in November 2013 and not last November. Please check the facts .

Veera | 9 years ago | Reply Tendulkar did not ask for the Bharat Ratna. It was a honour bestowed upon him in recognition of the millions of children and people he inspired by his game and personality. He has every right to earn and every right to give away his money in any which way he pleases. Don't undermine such people who have made us proud. The person filing this trivial cases should be punished for wasting public time and seeking cheap publicity. Tendulkar and people like him have set standards by hardwork, discipline and kindness, they symbolize what is best in India and as an individual a true symbol of Indian culture and tradition - altruism. Nurture them and they will do us more good.

Vamsi | 9 years ago | Reply I think these kind of people can start bothering about the welfare of the society than feel jealous and insecure of someone whom he does not even know personally. Why is the court even considering this case as if there is nothing else more important than this in the society.

Poochayin | 9 years ago | Reply By giving this highest civilian honour to a SELFISH fellow like Sachin, the Congress Govt has done a very bad thing to the civilian award.

Bewildered | 9 years ago | Reply He got more than he deserved. Great personalities don't act like him and run after money.

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