CHENNAI: IT’S no time for silent protests. Demonetisation, court order on jallikattu, cow slaughter restrictions — demonstrations against have invariably been vocal and sometimes violent. Ramachandra Guha’s resignation from the court-appointed committee of administrators (CoA) on Thursday is being interpreted as a silent protest in certain quarters.
Though the historian and author cited “personal reasons” in his letter to the Supreme Court, talks are rife that it was in protest against the treatment meted out to Anil Kumble. With influential BCCI officials insisting that they find the India coach’s role in pay negotiations unacceptable and such observations coinciding with reports of a rift in the team caused by Kumble, it is more or less expected that he wouldn’t ask for a renewal when his contract gets over on June 20. With this as backdrop, Guha’s resignation assumes a different hue.
A keen follower of Karnataka cricket, he has reason to sympathise with Kumble. “And CoA’s silence over matters going out of control may have prompted this. As it is, he wasn’t very involved in CoA activities,” said sources following events since the CoA was formed. Irregular at CoA meetings, Guha was seen at last week’s interaction between Ranji Trophy captains and BCCI officials.
Like the other three members of this panel headed by Vinod Rai, he too is yet to be paid for being part of it. “It’s possible Guha’s decision has got to do with the Kumble matter,” said a BCCI member. The court, meanwhile, said the bench dealing with BCCI matters will hear Guha’s case in July.
Sehwag, Moody among applicants
Applications, including one from Virender Sehwag, have been received for the India coach’s post. Other applicants are former Australia’s Tom Moody, Englishman Richard Pybus and Indians Lalchand Rajput and D Ganesh. Kumble’s contract ends after CT. A committee including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman will pick the coach.