Ruling Maha ally PJP protests against Tendulkar for promoting online gaming

Mumbai, Aug 31 (IANS) Maharashtra’s ruling ally Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP) leader Omprakash Babarao alias Bachhu Kadu, here on Thursday led a noisy protest outside the home of legendary cricketer Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar and slammed him for endorsing online gaming in an advertisement.

Kadu, along with scores of supporters landed outside Tendulkar’s home carrying posters, banners, shouted slogans blasting the master-blaster and called upon him to stop promoting such immoral activities that could impact the young generations.

Later, Kadu and at least a dozen of his activists were whisked off from there and detained by the Bandra Police even as other supporters staged a sit-in demonstration outside the police station.

The PJP MLA said that if Tendulkar had not been conferred the Bharat Ratna, they would not have targeted him, adding that “money should precede national interest”.

“If he wants to earn Rs 300-crore by promoting such things, then he should return the Bharat Ratna forthwith,” demanded Kadu outside the Tendulkar home.

A few days ago, he had shot off a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on the issue and even demanded that the country’s top honour Bharat Ratna should be taken back if he continued to promote unethical activities like online gaming.

A former minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Kadu had also warned Tendulkar of legal action if he did not stop appearing in the online gaming ads forthwith.

After there was no response from Shinde, Kadu and his workers swooped down to the Tendulkar bungalow for a protest today.