Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has praised India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar in his latest article in his party organ Saamna. The Shiv Sena chief not only praises Tendulkar, but the entire Indian team for their performance.
On allowing Australian players to play in IPL, this is what Thackeray writes while publishing a letter from BCCI chief Shashank Manohar:
"When I open the morning newspapers I find it is written "Despite Pawar's requests, No-entry to Kangaroos by Shiv Sena'. All these vultures keep a close watch on my words. Leaving one or two, the rest of the newspapers consider Shiv Sena free liquor. Whatever be the issue, Shiv Sena has always been in favour of Bhoomiputras, and in support of national interest...It is true Shashank Manohar came to meet me at Matoshree, but even this meeting was portrayed in a different colour by some journalists..Sometimes I feel why I should do this, and for whom...We had not opposed Shah Rukh's film My Name Is Khan, we had opposed his love for Pakistan..Even that opposition was given a different colour by those practising yellow journalism..and wrote 'Khan House Full, Shiv Sena Flop'..Because of Shiv Sena's role, the Centre even agreed to send para-military forces..Is this a sign of flop?"
Thackeray further writes: " Rahul Gandhi came to Mumbai and we had ordered he should be shown black flags, because Mumbai belongs to this country...Prince, when there was hungama in your meeting in Bihar, then why were you perturbed? You took the revenge in Mumbai..When large number of Shiv Sainiks had gone to Bharadi Devi fair, you came here and showed your prowess..and the sycophantic newspapers praised you to the skies"
The Shiv Sena chief further writes: "We will not allow Pakistani team to play here, yet our Home Minister P Chidambaram says, We will welcome Kashmiris from Pak Occupied Kashmir..Pakistan may take advantage and send terrorists along with those Kashmiris to our country..Yet our Defence Minister A K Antony says, despite infiltration, we will talk with Pakistan..If we allow trained terrorists to enter India, then there will be mayhem..In the context of Pune blast, you will then understand whether this will be in favour of our nation or against national interest. The day the bomb will explode beneath you, that day it will be too late."
"Hence, I take this decision..Let the Australian cricketers come to India, let the Pakistani cricket team come..Let the Pak terrorists come..If they don't understand the danger, then what can we do. I am reminded of Eknath of Paithan who, when the Mughals invaded Maharashtra, had said, 'Bai, open the door, open the door', To these unfortunate people and yellow journalists I put my challenge and say, 'Close the door, close the door'."
