Features: Should IPL be scrapped?

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April 26, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):Tehelka, Bofors, Coffin scam. The country has witnessed many a scam but no issue has attracted much attention than IPLgate. What is known as Indian Premier League is now being clubbed as Indian Parivar League.

It all started with the taint of impropriety on Shashi Tharoor but it has now snowballed into a tale of cash, lies and emails. Indian cricket witnesses it worst crisis since the 2000 match-fixing saga. At the centre of the controversy is IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi, who finds himself being accused of impropriety and other financial irregularities.

As Modi battles with his own ilk, somewhere down the line, the common cricket fan’s voice is neglected. How has IPLgate affected him? Should IPL be banned after the revelations of alleged fraudulent activities by Modi and co.?

TellyCafe’s Mayur Lookhar spoke to few TV actors to get their take on this boiling issue.

Karan Wahi

Frankly speaking, I’m not at all bothered or surprised about the current controversy. Corruption has been part of our system for a long time. It’s only now that media has highlighted it. You’re declared a thief only when you’re caught. Modi isn’t the only villain in this mess.

I don’t think IPL should be scrapped because the stakes are too high. Just because of one individual you can’t deny the fans and viewers of their favourite sport. After all, the game is bigger than any individual. With time, the people of this country will forget everything.

Avinash Sachdev

I watch cricket purely for entertainment purpose. So, for me the issue between BCCI and the IT-department doesn’t affect me much. Besides, I’m not aware of the exact details, so it will be premature on my part to give any comment.

As regards to scrapping of IPL, let the government finish with their probe and only then can you take a decision. The system needs to be cleaned. Cricket has become more of entertainment and less game. The balance needs to be restored. I’m myself from the entertainment industry, thus I wouldn’t like a rival to be banned.

Pankit Thakker

Well, this controversy hasn’t affected me a wee bit because, I simply don’t watch cricket.. To me it’s a complete waste of time. I guess the last time I watched cricket was when Anil Kumble took 10 wickets in a game.

While I’m not a follower of cricket, I don’t endorse the radical view to scrap IPL. All you need to do is clean up the system. A lot of people earn their livelihood from the game. It’s not just restricted to the players. You can’t punish them or the viewers for the misdeeds of one person.

Ali Asgar

The whole thing can be looked from two viewpoints. First, this is the work of big people and we middle class mortals are simply no one to comprehend over it. Our job is to merely watch the cricketing action.

Second, as a citizen, I’m utterly disappointed that something wrong is taking place in the most popular game of the country. The IPL had become bigger than the World Cup. I’ll be saddened if the underworld’s involvement is revealed.

IPL should not be scrapped because it feeds many people.

Mohit Sehgal

Well, the question of me being affected by the IPL controversy simply doesn’t arise because, I’m simply not aware of what’s happening around it. I’ve hardly slept in the last 36 hours. I’m heading home right for some sleep. Perhaps, I’ll be able to tell you something tomorrow morning.

However, I won’t disappoint you. From what you’ve told me, if there is black money involved in IPL, then ought to be scrapped. Nothing illegal should be tolerated.

-Mayur Lookhar/Sampurn Wire