We really support Uzzy: Cummins backs Khawaja on dove logo for Gaza crisis
Melbourne (PTI): Australian captain Pat Cummins on Monday came in support of his teammate Usman Khawaja, saying the opener's attempt to bring to the fore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was "not offensive". Cricket's global governing body ICC has rejected Khawaja's application to have a sticker showing a black dove holding an olive branch on his bat and shoes during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Cummins said he finds no difference between Khawaja displaying a dove logo on his shoe and bat to raise awareness of humanitarian issues and teammate Marnus Labuschagne displaying an eagle on his bat which signifies a personal religious message.
"We really support Uzzy. He's standing up for what he believes and I think he's done it really respectfully," Cummins told reporters on the eve of the second Test at the MCG.
"As I said last week, 'All lives are equal', I don't think that's very offensive and I'd say the same about the dove."
Backing his 37-year-old colleague who was born in Pakistan capital Islamabad, Cummins added, "That's Uzzy. I think he can really hold his head high with the way he's gone about it.
"But obviously there's rules in place and I believe the ICC have said they're not going to approve that. They make up the rules and you've got to accept it."
Notably, the ICC reprimanded Khawaja for wearing a black armband during Australia's 360-run win over Pakistan in Perth, the action coming after he was barred from wearing boots with the messages "Freedom is a human right" and "All lives are equal" in the colours of the Palestinian flag during the match at the Optus Stadium.
Labuschagne displays the symbol of an eagle on the back of his bats which represents a verse from the bible and has long been allowed to have the sticker on his bat in international cricket.
Last week, Khawaja spoke about the impact that the Israel-Hamas conflict had on him.
"When I'm looking at my Instagram and seeing innocent kids, videos of them dying, passing away, that's what hit me the hardest," he said.
"I don't have any agendas other than trying to shine a light on what I feel really passionately, really strongly about."
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NDA govt created 'unnecessary controversy' over Manmohan Singh's cremation, memorial: Ashok Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday accused the NDA government of creating an "unnecessary controversy" over the cremation and memorial of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Gehlot claimed that it was under public pressure that the BJP government announced plans to build a memorial for Singh in the future.
Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday night. He was 92.
"The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has created an unnecessary controversy over the cremation and memorial of a great personality like Dr Manmohan Singh," Gehlot said on X.
He further stated, "The people of the country have expressed their displeasure over this step of the government, and then, under the pressure of public sentiment, the BJP government announced to build a memorial in the future."
He added that the Government of India is conducting the cremation of a respected personality at Nigam Bodh Ghat instead of any special place.
"In 2010, after the death of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, without any demand from the BJP, the Congress government spoke to his family and immediately allotted a special place for his last rites in Jaipur, and a memorial was built there," Gehlot said.
After the death of Bal Thackeray in Maharashtra in 2012, the Congress government allotted a special place in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park for his last rites, he noted.
The former CM said that while Congress has always given respectful farewells to leaders of all parties, such behavior by the BJP toward Manmohan Singh is "unfortunate".
The mortal remains of Manmohan Singh reached Delhi's Nighambodh Ghat crematorium for last rites on Saturday. The procession carrying Singh's mortal remains reached the crematorium at around 11.30 am, where the last rites will be performed shortly.
