No one knows when the iron is hot and when to hit the iron while it is hot like prime minister Narendra Modi. He used Indian hockey glory and the Olympic performance to change the name of Rajiv Khel Ratna. On Friday, even as the nation was soaking in the victory of Indian Hockey team and Ravi Dahiya’s silver medal in wrestling, Modi changed the name of the Rajiv Khel Ratna award to Dhyanchand Khel Ratna.
With this one shot, Modi has hit two birds. Firstly, he removed Rajiv Gandhi’s name from a sports award. Rajiv Gandhi was never known for his sports prowess and thus this name on the award was more political than sport-related. By dropping his name, he sought to erase the memory of his political rivals – the Gandhi-Nehru family. Secondly, he added the name of hockey legend Dhyan Chand, who is revered for his hockey prowess. No one, much less the Congress, can object to adding Dhyan Chand’s name, especially at a time when India has won a medal in hockey after 41 years.
In normal times, the Congress would have made a huge issue if Rajiv’s name was removed. That would have become a huge controversy. The BJP would have been forced to do a lot of explaining. Now the Congress cannot but accept the change and remain silent.
At the same time, Dhyan Chand is from Uttar Pradesh. With elections to Uttar Pradesh round the corner, this move will help the BJP electorally. It can evoke support for the BJP move and help the party by getting sentimental vote. Without doubt, Modi is the real Khel Ratna.
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