Now, Politics over IPL Cheerleaders

The Maharashtra government on Thursday has warned the IPL organisers not to allow the ‘Cheerleader’ dancers who dance besides the boundary in skimpy dresses after every boundaries scored or wicket taken by the player. The effort of IPL to put up a visually stunning show has apparently dragged politics into the game.

Maharashtra government’s move came in the allegation of opposition as well as its ally member’s for adopting double standard over the Indian culture. This allegation came after the match held on Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai between Mumbai Indians and Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Beginning the allegation over Congress-NCP led government, senior BJP leader and Member of Legislative Council Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday has alleged government by passing the comments, “If RR Patil banned bar dancers saying it was immoral, why should half-naked cheerleaders be allowed to dance? Isn't it immoral? Why do we need this in cricket? It is against Indian culture". ‘Maharashtra government is adopting double standard in this matter. Why government is overlooking it?’ he added the allegation.

Asking to ban those ‘cheerleaders’ like bar dancers three years before, Gadkari said, “ these dancing is not better than bar dancing, but worse because it is happening publicly. Government should do the same thing in this case”.

The Deputy Chief Minister of the state R R Patil has assured the objector to look after it.

Besides the members of opposition party, the Minister of State for Home, Siddharam Mehtre also found the ‘dance’ and the performer ‘absolutely obscene’. Objecting the performance and the dress, Mehtre said, “The dances by cheerleaders after every four or six are vulgar. We live in India. We don't live in a foreign country. Cricket is watched by entire family, including women and children, and they might find it offensive.”

“Thought, the organisers may have invested crores of rupees organising such matches. But this does not mean that they make semi-nude women dance in front of people”, he added.

“Gadkari has raised this issue on Wednesday in the assembly and we would take action in this matter”, he said.

“The IPL organisers would have to seek the permission in this regard in the coming matches”, he warned the organisers by adding that State Government would initiate whatever action that could be taken under the laws of the State, and that if necessary, it would approach the Centre in this regard.

On the other hand, several intellectuals, celebrities, and media personalities and several renowned personalities have expressed mixed response in this ultramodern form of cricket.

As per schedule, the next IPL match is due at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday April 27, 2008 between Mumbai Indians and Hyderabad Deccan Chargers. In this ‘Cheerleaders’ matter, Navi Mumbai police has said that no arrest would be made to any dance performer but ‘the organisers would be booked if the cheerleaders are obscenely dressed’ clarified Navi Mumbai Police.