Earlier in the day, Australian PM Julia Gillard announced that Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred the membership of the Order of Australia — a fact which it seems has not gone down well with some of her citizens.
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As Sachin becomes only the second Indian to receive the honour, Twitter saw an uproar over the decision.
Most of the criticism comes from the fact that the master blaster was at the centre of the monkeygate scandal involving the countries’ cricket teams. Questions are also being raised as to why he is eligible for the award and what his contributions to Australia are.
The star batsman was a key witness in the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds racism controversy in 2008. Australian media had slammed Tendulkar earlier this year too when India was touring the country.
Here are some of the tweets:
#cricket How can PM Julia Gillard award Tendulkar an Order of Australia after his central role in the Monkeygate racism scandal? #shame
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
Gillard’s Order of Australia to Tendulkar is an insult to @cricketaust #MonkeyGate a racist attack on an Aussie. Remember Tendulkar? #auspol
— Peter Chambers (@Wombatfinance) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
If Tendulkar is eligible as an Australian citizen to receive the Order of Australia medal, I insist we pursue him for years of tax evasion.
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
Why is Sachin Tendulkar getting an Order of Australia before Shane Warne?
— Cameron Hamilton (@cam_hamilton) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
Gillard gives sachin Tendulkar an order of Australia! Why dont you hand one to Lance Armstrong while you’re at it. #onTheTake
— Evil Roy Slade (@suckerpunch70) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
The ‘Order of Australia AC’ is nothing but another tourist and pacifist measure to heal wounds from back in 2008 and suck up to the Indians.
— Masand (@epitome_chatter) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
Pretty blatant marketing by Gillard giving Indian cricketer, who’s done nothing of significance for Aus (a criteria), an Order of Australia
— Lucy (@churchillvic) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
Order of Australia should be respected, not cheapened by purely political appointments – especially to people who aren’t Australian citizens
— Lucy (@churchillvic) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
The PM announced today that Sachin Tendulkar is to receive an Order of Australia. Does that mean he can play cricket for us?
— lehmo (@lehmo23) अक्टूबर 16, 2012
