Taking strong exception to coach Greg Chappell's "insulting comments" on star cricketer Sourav Ganguly, a senior West Bengal minister on Thursday called on sports lovers to stage protests against the Australian.
"What Chappell has said about Sourav is not merely insulting to the former Indian captain. It is an insult to the state and the nation," West Bengal Minister for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Ashok Bhattacharya told newspersons in Kolkata.
Bhattacharya said those who loved sports and games, particularly cricket, should protest against the remarks made by the Aussie in an interview to British newspaper The Guardian.
"There should be protests everywhere. And BCCI president Sharad Pawar should intervene immediately," said the Minister, known for his proximity to Ganguly.
"Today, Sourav has been insulted. Tomorrow, some other player may be at the receiving end. This cannot continue," said an annoyed Bhattacharya.
Chappell had said in the interview that Ganguly had refused to give up captaincy of the Indian team because the job was "utterly important to his life and finances."
The Australian, widely believed to be the man behind the left-handed batsman's ouster from the national cricket team, bluntly stated that Ganguly thought he would be able "to run me as he did John (Wright) in the latter part of his time as coach. But we clashed because his needs as a struggling player and captain and those of the team were different."
{{/usCountry}}The Australian, widely believed to be the man behind the left-handed batsman's ouster from the national cricket team, bluntly stated that Ganguly thought he would be able "to run me as he did John (Wright) in the latter part of his time as coach. But we clashed because his needs as a struggling player and captain and those of the team were different."
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