Open Letter To Mr. Gambhir From An Ex-Admirer: Here’s Why You’re Incapable Of Being A Leader

Dear Gautam Gambhir,

I remember the day you walked up to the pavilion on April 2, 2011. I remember the day you walked into and out of the stadium for the last time. I also remember your spectacular 75 run knock of September 2007 in the T-20 World Cup Final against Pakistan. I also remember how I always derided the BCCI for not selecting you.

I learnt more about fandom in the summer of 2013 when Mr. Modi entered politics at the centre, and I have been witnessing it every day since then. But I was not your fan, I was an admirer. I am, however, not writing this to you as an angered admirer, but, as a disappointed one who feels let down by the beginning of your political innings.

No, I have no objections to your joining BJP. In fact, with the kind of attitude you displayed in the game or the way you spoke about issues plaguing the nation, you are better suited for BJP. I must clarify that I was always an admirer of Gautam Gambhir, the batsman, not the sportsperson. You had the will of the batsman but you, at many instances, lacked the spirit of a sportsman. And there are examples of that. For instance, your spat with Manoj Tiwary (the player) was one such example where you could have been a better man, but you chose to act under impulse.

You are in midst of another controversy now. You find yourself under political fray and up against two candidates. Had I been a voter in your constituency, I would’ve never voted simply on the basis of the gender of the contender. Having said that, I have rarely seen a female administrator fail. At least, not as much as male administrators do. Regardless, I would have voted only on a basis of who ended up luring me better with their schemes and who would, potentially, focus more on the welfare of the constituency.

But, you know, I am a stupid voter. Though I am, thankfully, not as stupid as the ones who would vote anyone into power by getting swayed by hyper-patriotic concerns. I don’t need that. I already have it in me, running through my veins, every moment. I would be more interested in being fooled by how you or anyone else would claim that my constituency could prosper. If that candidate wins and would do even 10% of what he promises, I would be happy to fool myself again. Why? Because this country votes by looking at the intent of the candidate and not the commitment.

Despite my apprehensions about your sportsmanship, my heart refuses to believe that you actually got those pamphlets, defaming Atishi, distributed. In fact, I feel that you did not even know about its existence till it became news. But my question is, even if you didn’t know, is this how you would react to the allegations? By saying the things that you have been saying in the last three days?

You came into politics. No one called you. No one wishes to see you being hanged in public or being hanged at all. As far as your resignation is concerned, if and when you wish to leave, no one will stop you. You obviously would not resign if the public badly wanted to see you in the Parliament. You would resign if the allegations are proven to be true. I am asking as someone hardly 10 years younger to you, didn’t the thought of saying the following occur to you once in the past 72 hours?

“I am not behind this. If such a disgraceful and disrespectful thing been said about a woman, I condemn it. I am a father, a son and a husband. I am fighting an election, yes. I am fighting it against two candidates, one of which happens to be a woman, yes. But I do not, in any manner of speaking, endorse such derogatory and defamatory comments. But still, if anyone has the slightest doubt on my intentions or action, I am open to any enquiry.”

I am not putting words in your mouth, Mr. Gambhir. It is just a suggestion from a stupid voter, who also happens to be your admirer. Trust me, you would have won anyway had you handled the situation more humanely. I know politics is dirty, but I know you have batted on more treacherous pitches and have done well. Mr. Gambhir, you could have refrained from this mudslinging and calling out people for proving allegations. You didn’t. You are just another politician who makes us sick.

I am writing this open letter to you not because I had a lot of time in hand, but because I felt, as a viewer, that you should know that you are playing this game just the way you sometimes played cricket. The social media is flooded with unnecessary arguments on who is for you and who is against you. Your popular friends are coming out with character certificates in your support. No one is talking about the indigence the woman in question must’ve faced.

Mr. Gambhir, future does have to carry the past and the present. Future doesn’t move ahead without the bogey of the past and present. You have not just disgraced the present and blemished the past. With your arguments, what you have contributed towards is a future where the debate women’s rights and the injustice meted out to them would be diluted only by the content of punishment for offenders rather than by how the wounds have to be healed.

You, with your irresponsible statements, have further added to the imbalance. But the fight for rights and justice shall continue. You might enter the parliament and become a star-studded captain of some Ministry. But you, Mr Gambhir, shall never be able to become a leader if you don’t learn how to treat your opponents.

This is why you can’t be a leader!

Yours truly,

A Stupid Voter