CM orders inquiry into Jaffer’s resignation from cricket coach, was accused of promoting Islam

Dehradun, February 17, 2021: CM Trivendra Singh Rawat has ordered an inquiry into the case of Wasim Jaffer, who resigned as the coach of Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU). Rawat met CAU officials at his official residence in Dehradun on Sunday evening.

Chief Minister’s Media Coordinator Darshan Singh Rawat said that some officials of CAU had informed the Chief Minister about the whole matter. After listening to him, CM Rawat has ordered an inquiry. He said that necessary action will be taken by the CM after the investigation report is received.

The order for investigation by the Chief Minister came after a tweet by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In this tweet, Rahul did not name any person or organization. Rahul Gandhi had a tweet on 13 February. In it, he wrote, hatred has increased so much in the last few years that it has taken our beloved sports cricket into its limelight. India belongs to all of us, there should be no attempt to share this unity.

At the same time, the Uttarakhand Congress has accused the BJP government of communalizing the game as well. Congress state vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said that there would have been no question if CAU had objected to Jaffer’s coaching based on merit or disqualification. But accusing them of communal accusations cannot be accepted. Sports are also becoming communal under BJP rule. This is not good for the cricket of Uttarakhand.

The entire incident started on February 8 when Wasim Jaffer resigned and made serious allegations against the Uttarakhand Cricket Association. In a letter to the association, Wasim Jaffer wrote that I am sad for those talented players, they could have learned a lot from me. But the selector and secretary discriminate in the selection and are giving a chance to a less capable player. He wrote that if the Cricket Association would interfere in my work in this way and would not let me make the right decisions in the interest of the team, then there is no point in me continuing in this post.

On his resignation, CAU Secretary Mahim Verma alleged that Jaffer was promoting players from a particular community and brought a Muslim cleric among the players for Friday prayers. Jaffer, however, denied this and said that it is sad to give the case a communal color.

Uttarakhand Cricket Association Secretary Mahim Verma said that we gave him what he wanted. He has chosen players, trainers, and bowling coaches according to his own. But the team’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament was very disappointing. After this, the selectors wanted to give new players a chance. A consensus could not be reached on that. Uttarakhand’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament T20 tournament was not very good. The team won only one of the 5 matches.

Chief Minister’s media coordinator Darshan Singh Rawat said that the CAU officials had made CM Rawat aware of the whole case. The CM has ordered an inquiry after hearing the officials. Necessary action will be taken after the investigation report is received.