The “Omerta” code of silence seems to work better in the Indian cricket board than even in the Italian Mafia! Ever since the spot-fixing scam starring pacer Sreesanth and the betting/fixing scandal involving BCCI president N. Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan erupted, those trying to protect Mr Srinivasan or praise him have not been bashful.
But even those who may have called for his resignation at closed-door meetings have refused to say a word in public, with the honourable exception of Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association who has unequivocally declared that Mr Srinivasan must step down.
The issue is far bigger than rotten eggs on the field and a rotten apple in a powerful official’s household. It has national implications as terror funding is facilitated with cricket profits, as well as pirating of films and other anti-national activities like gold smuggling and drug-running. It’s surprising that leaders across the political spectrum, from the Congress to the BJP, have maintained a deathly silence on developments in
cricket.
To say that cricket’s popularity proves people don’t bother with betting/fixing is like putting the cart before the horse. If things deteriorate any further, cricket could well be viewed with the same kind of cynicism with which certain television fights are seen as entertainment despite their being obviously fixed. It’s high time right-thinking people in the BCCI come out with their opinions even if they aren’t to Mr Srinivasan’s liking. The need to clean up the game is extremely urgent.