NEW DELHI, 24 February 2005 — When India’s cricketers clash with archrivals Pakistan at home next month they will not be allowed to wear their patriotism on their sleeves — or gear.
A government decree last week prohibited cricketers and other sports stars from displaying the tricolor — the national flag — anywhere on their kit.
Sachin Tendulkar’s helmet will not have the tricolor embossed in front, neither will captain Saurav Ganguly be allowed to wear his trademark batting gloves painted in the orange, white and green colors of the Indian flag.
The federal Home Ministry cited the Flag Code of India which says the tricolor should not be used on costumes or embroidered on cushions, handkerchiefs and dress material.
The decree has left all, including Sports Minister Sunil Dutt, the cricketers and other sportspeople, nonplussed.
“I personally feel the cricketers should use the tricolor,” said Dutt. “The national flag acts as a morale-booster. “But I have to follow orders. It is the Home Ministry which takes decisions with regard to issues involving use of national flag.”
Tendulkar and Ganguly said they will follow any instructions from the government, but teammates and other Indian sportsmen could not hide their displeasure.
“It’s their viewpoint, but I take great pride in playing with the national flag on the helmet,” said cricketer Yuvraj Singh. “It’s a different feeling altogether.”
Shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, an army officer who won independent India’s first Olympic silver medal at the Athens Games last year, found the government’s decision “strange.”
“It’s a different high when I wear the India flag on my chest,” said Rathore.
“And it is an honor. You would feel out of place when at some event your rivals will be standing in their national colors while you are blank.
“The decision is strange but we can’t help it.”
India’s first Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan, whose specially designed helmet sports the tricolor, was equally bemused.
“If that is what the government wants, it’s their loss,” said Karthikeyan, who makes his F-1 debut at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 6.
“We as sportsmen are only doing the country proud by performing well.
“I have the tricolor on my helmet, but I can probably sell that space to sponsors and make a lot of money. I love India and I am proud to be an Indian and that’s what I want to portray. But if I can’t carry the tricolor on my helmet, it is the government’s loss.”
Former Indian cricket captain Bishan Bedi, however, jumped to the government’s defense.
“The national flag is most important and should be duly respected,” said Bedi. “You can’t put the helmet with the India flag alongside your shoes.
