Congress party and its supporters have been targeting PM Modi relentlessly ever since he came to power in 2014. Their desperation to bring down Prime Minister Modi has reached such levels that anybody even remotely praising the prime minister comes under attack. Such desperation reached nauseating levels on Wednesday when Congress’ sycophants started trolling Indian hockey legend, Dhanraj Pillay. The only fault of Pillay was that he dared to express his honest opinion and praised Prime Minister Modi for his contribution and encouragement to Indian sports, especially hockey.
Dhanraj Pillay, former hockey player and the captain of the Indian National Team, in an article on Times of India, praised PM Modi. In his article, Pillay emphasized the work done at the grassroots level for the upliftment of sports in the country. In addition to that, he also wrote that the Government has raised the sports budget from Rs. 657 crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 1989.39 crore in 2019-20. PM Modi has ensured that the athletes get the best training and support so that India is globally competitive across a variety of disciplines.
The former hockey captain wrote-
“Then again, it is not just tokenism that we have seen from the PM and the government. They have facilitated the preparations of the athletes across disciplines. If the two hockey teams have gone farther in Olympic competition than their predecessors in the past four decades, it is because of the excellent preparation, facilitated by the central government.
Knowing that the Union Budget allocation of Rs. 657 crore (actual) in 2011-12 was inadequate, the Government raised the sports budget to Rs. 1989.39 crore in 2019-20, an increase of more than 300 %. A large portion of this is reserved for the nurturing of talented athletes.
The PM’s directive ensured that the athletes get the best training and support so that India is globally competitive across a variety of disciplines. He also emphasised that besides focusing on supporting elite athletes, it was also important to encourage the ecosystem to work at the grassroot level too.”
Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared the article on Twitter and said, “India reaping benefits from the sporting vision of Govt. led by PM @NarendraModi ji. Turnaround in country’s sports culture is a result of government facilitating talent, writes Hockey great Dhanraj Pillay.”
India reaping benefits from the sporting vision of Govt. led by PM @NarendraModi ji.
Turnaround in country's sports culture is a result of government facilitating talent, writes Hockey great Dhanraj Pillay. pic.twitter.com/z8dRksUFed
— Piyush Goyal (मोदी का परिवार) (@PiyushGoyal) August 4, 2021
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railway Minister, also took to Twitter to share the article and tweeted, “These historic moments for India always had the backing of a far looking vision of PM @narendramodi ji. The sports ecosystem and culture has been transformed forever in India now.”
These historic moments at #Tokyo2020 Olympics for India 🇮🇳 always had the backing of a far looking vision of PM @narendramodi Ji. The sports ecosystem and culture has been transformed forever in India now. pic.twitter.com/8WsAW9z5zb
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (मोदी का परिवार) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 4, 2021
Soon after, anti-Modi trolls started spewing venom and targeted Pillay. With no respect towards the former India captain, a Twitter user tweeted, “Though @dhanrajpillay1 was a great player……Hes a DISHONEST columnist..Hes employed in Guj from Modi’s times & its shameful that while doing “Chaatukari” he doesnt mention which govt resurrected hockey (Odisha) & you peddle his farticle @AshwiniVaishnaw.”
Though @dhanrajpillay1 was a great player… Hes a DISHONEST columnist.. Hes employed in Guj from Modi's times & its shameful that while doing "Chaatukari" he doesnt mention which govt resurrected hockey (Odisha) & you peddle his farticle @AshwiniVaishnaw https://t.co/mWF3C5x3KZ
— PolitiCrooks (@PolitiCrooks) August 5, 2021
Trolling Dhanraj as well as the government, another user Maverick Maddock also tweeted, “This is clearly PR piece also he is a coach at Gujarat sport authority..doesn’t look good…central govt handling of sport highly inadequate and incompetence lacks substance target KPIs goals deadline and direction.”
https://twitter.com/MaddockMaverick/status/1422977017880797188?s=20
Similarly, other users and Congress sycophants joined in and started trolling the hockey legend.
Very sad to read this by Dhanraj Pillay. So great is the subtle push by the IT Cell of BJP to lean on him so heavily! https://t.co/oUnSb8Hc9Y
— Broad Wit🇮🇳 (@BroadWit) August 5, 2021
Hockey should be accredited to honoured Chief minister of Odisha @Naveen_Odisha . Modi government has hardly done anything for the athletes. TOPs was a good acheme but we are languishing at the 63 spot. Credit stealing is wrong
— Yash Agarwal (@YashAga81690343) August 5, 2021
Chutiyae have shame we have only won 3 medal,none gold with a population of 1.35m. Election is the only sport youll love to play & distribute money
— Bobbyvaid (@bobbybaku) August 4, 2021
Refuting the claims, a Twitter user, Vinayak posted two articles referring to the condition of hockey under the tenure of Congress as well as the BJP. He tweeted, “Have seen some people bringing politics into hockey. Well, here is some politics for them to digest. First news is when Congress was in power. Second is Dhanraj Pillai lauding the Modi government for supporting hockey. Also, kudos to @Naveen_Odisha for his immense support.”
Have seen some people bringing politics into hockey. Well, here is some politics for them to digest.
First news is when Congress was in power. Second is Dhanraj Pillai lauding the Modi government for supporting hockey. Also, kudos to @Naveen_Odisha for his immense support! pic.twitter.com/ygNw2Ix3NF
— Vinayak (@vinayak_jain) August 5, 2021
Dhanraj Pillay works as a joint secretary for Air India Sports Promotion based in Mumbai. Dhanraj has also been supervising the SAG Hockey Academy in Gujarat for the last 5 years. In a career spanning over 15 years, Dhanraj has represented India in four Olympic Games, World Cups as well as Champion Trophies. He made 339 appearances for the national team and has scored around 170 goals. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2000 for his achievements. It is indeed sad that someone who has proudly represented India in the world of hockey, is made to face such vicious trolling simply because he expressed his opinion and narrated the truth. The trolls and Congress’ sycophants must hang their heads in shame.
