New Delhi: The anger against politicians and young India's frustration with corrupt practices have not spared even Sachin Tendulkar, India's modern-day equivalent of God, possibly the only celebrity whose criticism is strictly discouraged in the media and is not a particularly safe thing to do in public.
While the Congress may think of lapping up Sachin as the first step towards the preparations for 2014 and Sachin may regard the position of a nominated Rajya Sabha member to be one of high prestige, online India has not taken kindly to the master blaster accepting the position.
While an "Unfollow Sachin" movement quickly gathered pace on Twitter within hours of the announcement of his acceptance, various Facebook forums including the IBNLive page were abuzz with people calling it a wrong decision. Some people pitied him for not knowing what he is getting into. But some people were uncharitable to the extent of branding him as a "mercenary" or a "bounty hunter". One tweet said: "Sachin's visit to Sonia proves even God can be bought if the price is right."
The frustration of the youngsters with India's political process is quite natural, considering the frequency at which news of financial irregularities on part of politicians across the political divide have hit the headlines. And to top it all, the parliamentarians have increased their pay manifold while setting new records in adjournments of parliamentary sessions and proceedings.
Sachin has had an unblemished record on and off the field and suddenly that image has taken a beating in people's minds. Many of them are wondering how a person of integrity and steadfast politesse can bring himself to share the same space with "corrupt politicians hell bent on looting the country".
Sachin Tendulkar has always played it safe. His diplomatic record of conduct on the cricket pitch and in the dressing room stands testimony to that. But this is one googly which he might have totally misread.
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