Maharashtra Congress unit's culture wing questions IPL legality

Mumbai, Jan.14 (ANI): The Maharashtra unit of the Congress Party has questioned the legality of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held for the fourth edition at the ITC Gardenia Hotel in Bengaluru on January 8 and 9.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, (a copy of which was e-mailed to ANI), Guru Nair, the Vice Chairman of the cultural cell of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, raised the following four queries.

1.Whether The Indian law permits the auction of human beings; (2) Whether The Indian law permits the auction of skills and services of an individual; (3) Whether an auction can be held in India when the game is to be played in India and (4) Whether it is permissible to purchase a player/human being in exchange for foreign currency.

Nair also asked whether the Indian Government has allowed the IPL under existing Indian laws or has enacted a special act, and if not, an inquiry should be ordered into the event, which has been held for the past three years. He also urged the Prime Minister and his office to take steps to ban the event and the auction of human beings.

"I feel this kind of auction is a crime against the great game of cricket. The game develops good character in humans, but here, all big business houses are buying a human being. Somebody is sold and somebody is unsold. What character are these so-called icons showing? What is the difference between red light area and these players? This is actually a crime against the nation's cultural heritage. They should be booked for treason," said Nair in his letter.

"I am an Indian and in the interest of my country, I have a right to know, and I think, you hold an office from where accountability can be expected. Please reply at the earliest," he added. (ANI)