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Journalism of Courage
To say that the extensive raids at farflung establishments of some of current Indian cricket8217;s greatest names have come as anything of a surprise would be overstating it. And to wail that the income tax and CBI searches at 85 premises have heralded Indian cricket8217;s darkest hour would be a gross misrepresentation of facts. The Dark Ages began far too long ago 8212; to be precise, on the day Hansie Cronje8217;s salesman-like conversations became public knowledge 8212; to occasion disconsolate wails. And yet, it would be naive to declare Thursday, when the unprecedented seal-and-search operations commenced, just another manic monsoon day. No, there is a message and it is hopelessly depressing. Given the list of cricketing personalities now under income tax 8212; and consequently public 8212; scrutiny, it seems that the much desired rescue of India8217;s most loved game is a near impossibility. It is a sad thing to say, extremely cynical, but given the circumstances very realistic.
It is traumatic indeed when leading players in sport that till yesterday was a religion come under a shadow; but when the men who are supposed to be minding them and who have been self-righteously drafting codes and policies to combat the match-fixing menace themselves become subjects of intensive investigation and allegations, drastic action is in order. Ajay Jadeja, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mohammed Azharuddin8230; which cricket lover is not saddened by their seemingly imminent fall from grace? Still, it has been repeatedly demanded that a thorough probe be undertaken to once and for all establish each protagonist8217;s guilt or innocence, as the case may be. Hence, the raids are entirely in order; but why did they take so long in coming? Ever since the worms started squirming out of the can after the Cronje bombshell, everyone and her grandfather have been speculating on the timing of the seemingly imminent raids. Nit-picking aside, it is the curious spectacle of national team coach Kapil Dev, BCCI treasurer KishoreRungta and the de facto boss of Indian cricket, Jagmohan Dalmiya, being asked to sing in their own defence that threatens to nudge matters beyond repair.
