Dhindsa also advocates amnesty

The recent statements made in the last few days by those holding public office has been full of contradictions. If one minister says amnesty, another calls for strictures on the players.

On Friday, Indian Sports Minister SS Dhindsa speaking to the media at a function in New Delhi, also hinted at providing amnesty with those coming out with truth on match-fixing. Dhindsa said "The players should come out with the truth and help the investigating agencies to clean up this match-fixing muck as soon as possible," adding "The government will be lenient to cricketers who will come forward to help the agencies." When asked to clarify what leniency means, Dhindsa said "Leniency itself means amnesty." This was in sharp contrast to his earlier statements that the government would book all those found guilty. Earlier, Law Minister Ram Jethmalani had also hinted at amnesty for players who admitted their wrongdoing publicly.

On the progress made by the investigating agency in the match fixing case, Dhindsa said "I am very happy with the way the CBI is conducting the inquiry. The agency will come out with some constructive conclusion soon." He also had a word of caution for the BCCI. "In future, the government would keep an eye on the functioning of the BCCI," he said. Expressing optimism that the game would survive, Dhindsa said ``match-fixing has brought disgrace to the gentlemen's game, but it will come out of this rut very soon and will remain at the top as it was."

Meanwhile, both Dhindsa and his junior in his ministry Shahnawaz Hussain seemed to be at loggerheads over the progress of the ongoing investigations into the scandal. Dhindsa has denied that he never asked for a report on the progress made so far by the premier agency, while on Friday, Hussain told the media in New Delhi that he welcomed Dhindsa's direction on a progress report from the CBI. Dhindsa said "I have not given any such direction. We meet officers from CBI and Delhi Police every 10 to 15 days, but I have no knowledge of any such direction being given to them." But Hussain on Friday said "Dhindsa has asked the Delhi Police and CBI to submit a progress report of the investigation conducted so far within ten days. I support this totally."

With ministers expressing contradictory opinions, either personal or otherwise, and no co-ordination within the ministry itself, things seem to be getting a bit out of hand. The more time the investigations take, the more restless one becomes, thereby making remarks which may be detrimental to the case as it may send wrong signals. Therefore the need of the hour is to wait patiently for a breakthrough.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricket physiotherapist Ali Irani deposed before the CBI in connection with the match fixing scandal. Irani arrived at the CBI headquarters in the morning and met the officers of the agency inquiring into the scandal. His deposition follows his conversation in the clandestine video tapes with former all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar.

And in a development perhaps not entirely unconnected with the match fixing scandal, for the first time, no cricketer was nominated for the Arjuna award, presented annually by the Indian government to outstanding sportsmen. The awards have been given every year since 1961 and cricketers have figured strongly in the list. This is thought in some circles to be an offshoot of the match fixing scandal though Dhindsa denied this at a press conference called to announce the awards. Asked if the non inclusion of cricketers in the Aruna awardee list was due to the match fixing and betting allegations, he replied. ``No, the Ministry did not receive any name from the BCCI for recommendation for the award.''