Qualified apology by Azharuddin

Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin has bowed to public pressure and tendered a qualified apology for using the word 'minority' in his earlier statement last week. In a statement released to the press from Hyderabad on Tuesday, Azhar said "From media reports, I find that the sentiments of the people have been hurt for my uttering the minority community word. I have been quoted in the wrong context. This was never to defend myself from any inquiry or investigation. It was purely a reaction to the adverse remarks singled out against me for the past many months. I apologise if I have hurt anybody's feelings."

Azharuddin's immediate reaction - using the minority card - had hurt the sentiments of fans. Most of them had felt bitter and unhappy. It remains to be seen whether the qualified apology pacifies the public at large.

Last week, responding to Hansie Cronje's charge that Azhar had introduced him to a bookie in 1996, the former Indian captain said he was being "victimised and targeted as he from the minority community". This statement created a furore and his stand was deplored by one and all including the Union Sports Minister SS Dhindsa, Union Minister of State for Sports Shahnawaz Hussain, BJP leader Venkiah Naidu, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and the media.