Sena hits out at Katju for saying awarding Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar a disgrace to country

Mumbai: Attacking Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju for his reported remarks about conferring Bharat Ratna on cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, Shiv Sena on Tuesday questioned the work done by the media watchdog under his stewardship.

Amid the row over continued absence of Tendulkar and Rekha from Rajya Sabha, Katju had reportedly said awarding Bharat Ratna to the cricketer and nominating the Bollywood actress to Parliament was a "disgrace to the country".

"Sachin and Rekha did not go to the government asking to be nominated to Rajya Sabha. The President nominated them, honouring sports and arts," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

"Justice Katju is occupying an important post even after retirement. Even he cannot tell which work of the Council progressed during his tenure," the editorial said.

"(Hockey legend) Major Dhyan Chand should have got the Bharat Ratna. Both Sachin and Major Dhyan Chand could have been given Bharat Ratna at the same time, but the UPA government did not do it. That is the fault of those in power, but what is interesting is that it has caused stomach upset for Katju after so many months," the editorial said.

It said earlier Bharat Ratnas were given to state-level politicians with no special achievement. "We do not wish to name them today. Did not the Bharat Ratna get insulted then. So how come Sachin getting it became disgrace for India?" it said.

"What has been the contribution of Tendulkar and Rekha in the Rajya Sabha ? it is a big zero. Then why were they made MPs?," Katju had reportedly said in a recent Twitter post.

"Awarding Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar and making Rekha MP was a disgrace to our country. Bharat Ratna shud have been awarded to Subramania," he had said.