Wednesday, August 25, 2010

"Dishonor to chess champ Anand a matter of regret': Opposition

Published>Wed, Aug 25 10 07:57 PM

New Delhi, Aug 25 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Opposition on Wednesday expressed unhappiness over the dishonor meted out to world chess champion Vishwanathan Anand over reports that the Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Ministry questioned his nationality status.

"It was a matter of regret that questions have been raised over the nationality of Anand, who has been the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain raising the issue in the House during the Zero Hour.

"it was no way to treat icons like Anand who have been honoured with civilian awards like Padmashree for bringing laurels to the county time and again," he added.

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, however, on Tuesday citing 'procedural delay' in clearing the conferment of an honorary doctorate on Anand apologised to him saying his ministry never questioned his nationality.

"He has agreed to accept the degree at a date convenient to him. The degree could have been conferred on Tuesday evening but for Anand's prior commitments," said Sibal.

The University of Hyderabad had on Tuesday denied Anand an honorary doctorate after the HRD Ministry said that it is confused about whether he is an Indian or a Spanish citizen.

The university had decided to award Anand an honorary doctorate in 2009 and had formally forwarded the proposal to the ministry recently.

Since all foreign awardees require approval from the Ministry of External Affairs, the HRD ministry raised citizenship queries, as Anand lives with his wife in Spain. (ANI)


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