Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam voices support for MS Dhoni amid ICC's objection to 'Balidaan Badge' on his glove

The 'Balidaan Badge' controversy surrounding MS Dhoni's gloves at the World Cup escalated on Friday as people across the country staunchly supported the former Team India skipper who had sported the insignia during India's defeat of South Africa on Tuesday. Amid the furore, former Congress Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam also came out in support of the player. 

Meanwhile, Former Mumbai Congress President and ex-parliamentarian Sanjay Nirupam came out in support of the former Team India Captain and tweeted:

In his tweet, Nirupam has voiced his opinion and said that the ICC has no reason to interfere with or take objection in Dhoni's decision to wear the gloves which sport the 'Balidaan Badge' since it's a matter of national pride. He also questioned endorsing names and logos of big brands over something that signifies the Indian Army martyrs. Further Nirupam concluded his tweet by citing the whole move by ICC as nonsense and urged the responsible authorities to condemn it.

Earlier, Actor Riteish Deshmukh also supported Dhoni. Deshmukh in his tweet said: 

Fans and cricket enthusiasts from across the country expressed their fury after the ICC objected to Dhoni sporting the 'Balidaan Badge' on his wicket-keeping gloves during the defeat of South Africa. Hordes of personalities voiced their support and strongly backed the cricketer. Netizens across different platforms also supported Dhoni. The hashtag #DhoniKeepTheGlove has been trending ever since the International Cricket Council (ICC) moved in and pressurized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for taking action.

WATCH https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/cricket-news/watch-lt-col-ms-dhoni-belongs-to-the-same-regiment-as-the-indian-para-forces-says-major-gaurav-arya-backing-dhoni-over-iccs-objection-to-his-balidaan-badge-glove 

Fellow sportsmen and athletes, television personalities and politicians along with lakhs of others have voiced support and asked for Dhoni - who in 2011 was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army - to retain the 'Balidaan Badge'. MS Dhoni had also gone through training as a part of the Para Regiment. The Balidaan Badge - Balidaan translating to 'Sacrifice' - is the insignia of the regiment.