Mumbai, January 14: The Shiv Sena will not allow Australians to play in Maharashtra as long as Indians are attacked there.
“We will not allow Australian players to enter or play matches in Maharashtra till the attacks on Indians continue,” Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said in the Saamna on Wednesday.
He also criticised Indian cricketers for playing with Australians. “Our boys are being stabbed, burnt and shot in that country (Australia) and our cricketers still play with them. Do they have any national pride?”
Thackeray reminded that the Sena had taken a similar step against Pakistani cricketers. “Our Sainiks never allowed Pakistani cricketers to play in Mumbai. The Sainiks in Delhi too did the same thing. The entire country should show self-respect,” he said.
Thackeray praised Amitabh Bachchan for refusing an award from the Queensland University to protest against the incidents in Australia.
“Bachchan has shown a patriotic spirit. I would have been happy if our cricketers too showed similar self-respect. But cricket has become a game of money and self-respect and patriotism have taken a back-seat.”
Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said the party would oppose the matches of IPL if the teams have Australian players.
–Agencies–