Cheerleaders' show in cricket very unfortunate: Rajanth

Taking the debate of cheerleaders in the ongoing IPL tournament to the political level BJP national president Rajnath Singh criticised the use of scantily clad girls by sponsors and said that BJP would “vehemently oppose” this.

Speaking at the inaugural session of BJP Sports Cell national executive meet in the national capital, Singh said, “Cheerleaders' show in cricket is very unfortunate. It is not acceptable even in the name of promotion of game. It is like promoting pollution of our culture.” He also welcomed Maharashtra administration's decision to keep a watch on the cheers leading to banning of cheer-dance, if there be need.

Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of the same function, former international cricketer and a member of 1983-World Cup winning team, Kirti Azad said, “Cricket itself is a big entertainment. It is not only a sport and it does not need cheerleaders to fall upon for its popularity.” Azad protested this method of glamourising cricket in India. “This kind of dance at an open public place like a cricket stadium does not suit Indian culture and upbringing,” former all-rounder argued.

Cheerleaders are the girls, who keep dancing during every interval in the action of game- between overs or when a batman hits a boundary or a six, or when a wicket falls. This method of cheering up the spectators is a practice of 20-20 cricket till now. It gained popularity during inaugural 20-20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007.

However, this show has come under severe criticism in India and moral policing has already started with administration and politicians going air against it even against the pressure from the sponsors of the game.

Add to: del.icio.us Digg Technorati