Sachin Tendulkar’s Bharath Ratna will not be revoked: Madhya Pradesh High Court

Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court today dismissed a petition demanding that the Bharat Ratna honour of cricket icon and batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar be revoked. V K Naswah, the petitioner, had said that Tendulkar exploited the fame associated with the highest civilian award for “earning money by endorsing commercial products” and therefore it should be taken away. But the division bench of Justices Rajendra Menon and S K Gupta dismissed the petition, saying it was not maintainable. Naswah may approach the Union Government with his demand if he wishes so, the court said. READ: Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman likely to be named in BCCI conflict of interest list

The petition said that Tendulkar exploited the “fame” of the award to promote commercial products and earn money, which was against the “dignity and legacy” of Bharat Ratna. He should return the award on moral ground or otherwise it should be revoked, Naswah contended. Naswah also took exception to the reference to the former India captain in a book as `Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar’, saying that Bharat Ratna was not a title. READ: Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bacchan to be brand ambassadors for tiger protection project?

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He told reporters later that he will approach the Centre on the issue and move the Supreme Court if the government did not act. Tendulkar was bestowed upon the Bharat Ratna by the Congress Government, which was earlier in power. he got this award along with renowned scientist CNR Rao.  Tendulkar was also made the Rajya Sabha MP by the same Government. READ: Sachin Tendulkar: statistically the best No. 4 batsman of all time?