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May 9, 2000  

Calcutta, May 7: Jagmohan Dalmiya has been associated with the International Cricket Council's drive to expand the game's frontiers for some years now. In the process he has faced at times severe criticism. Yet as the ICC President reveals in this interview held shortly after addressing a Press conference held to clarify his position on the newest allegations aired by a London newspaper, he is determined to battle on.

Q: As ICC President, how do you view the accusations against Kapil Dev?

A: "It is indeed very sad. Cricketers like Kapil Dev are not to be found everyday. Yet people are accusing them in the open. I find it strange that when two bodies, the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and the ICC's Investigative Committee, have been formed why do people have to go public?  

"Anyone who has something to say should go to either of the investigating bodies. Look at what has happened to Kapil. He is mentally shattered. If after investigation it is found that Kapil is totally innocent, who is going to repair his credentials? When people make charges against Kapil Dev, they should think carefully about it and not do it for publicity or to settle personal grudge. I cannot understand how one can accuse his fellow countryman in a foreign media!"

Q: As ICC chief, can't you think of some ways to protect the legends from been harassed?

 
A: "We are all looking for answers, some mechanism to control this menace. So far we have not been able to find any. If tomorrow I say that legends cannot be harassed the media will say we are trying to cover-up. When the Indian cricket board set up the Justice Chandrachud Committee, the media said it was all very wishy-washy. When the CBI was called in, people started saying the Board has washed its hands of the matter.  

"What does one do in a situation like this? We are really looking for an appropriate answer. No one is asking the people who are making allegations why they had kept quiet for so long! This looks very strange."

Q: Don't you think that the entire controversy is turning into a legal mess?

 
A: This is all a ploy of the people who are out to spoil the game. It started off with allegations regarding match-fixing and betting. Then it went into administrative irregularities. And now we are hearing personal allegations. This is being done so that a particular focus is lost. This is not done.

Q: Do you feel the present situation is a threat to the concept of globalisation, which is very dear to your heart?

 
A: "I have a fear that parents may in future stop their children from taking to the game of cricket. Or a day will come when people might openly accuse somebody of being a cheat. But I am not a person to take it lying down. Let's see how far this can be dragged.