BJP MP says Vinod Kambli was left out of Indian team for being Dalit, cricketer disagrees

BJP MP Udit Raj has landed himself in trouble after he posted a tweet to former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, saying that he (Kambli) should not be “shy of accepting that you are a Dalit”, and added that he should accept that this was why he was excluded from cricket!

@vinodkambli349 you should not be shy of accepting that u r a Dalit and that was the reason of ur exclusion from cricket @BCCI @AIParisangh

— Dr. Udit Raj, MP (@Dr_Uditraj) December 27, 2016

Kambli, however, responded to Rai a few hours later saying, “Mr Raj, I don’t support any of your statements. Hence, i request you to refrain from using my name!” 

"Mr Raj, I don't support any of your statements. Hence, i request you to refrain from using my name!!!" https://t.co/diQRrR0bFU

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 27, 2016

This statement prompted Twitterati to praise the former cricketer and criticise Raj.

These were some of the tweets

ASHISH SINGH* @11192_ASHISH
Respect for Mr. @vinodkambli349 goes up as I saw this tweet*
Well slapped to the mole in BJP @Dr_Uditraj
 
Tum se na ho payega! @Tumse_Na_Hoga
@vinodkambli349 proud of you sir !! this is unfortunate that leaders like @Dr_Uditraj are responsible for shaping the future of our nation!
 
Balaji Subramanian @balajinodo78
@vinodkambli349 still remember your back to back double tons & how hard u tried to get us in the final of 1996 world cup. Stay blessed
 
Sir Bumrah! @Ibleed_sarcasm
@vinodkambli349 ye laga sixer aur ball ground ke bahar @Dr_Uditraj
 
Pranab N. Jha @pranab_jha
@vinodkambli349: well done!! @Dr_Uditraj: Nonsense. @BCCI @AIParisangh perfect example of politicians misguiding junta.

Raj, however, was firm about his stance and continued addressing the issue on Twitter. “How can cricketer Vinod Kambli deny his own statement issued on 20 July 2009 that he was discriminated.” He tweeted.

How can cricketerVinod Kambli deny his own statement issued on 20 July 2009 that he was discriminated.Pl Kambli don't be shy of being Dalit

— Dr. Udit Raj, MP (@Dr_Uditraj) December 28, 2016

He further added that he wasn’t speaking as a BJP MP, but as the national chairman of parisangh. 

Not as BJPMP I have said aboutDalit cricketerVinod Kambli but as national chairman of parisangh.Parisangh has been demanding quota for long

— Dr. Udit Raj, MP (@Dr_Uditraj) December 29, 2016