Former Rajya Sabha member and Rashtriya Janata Dal vice-president Shivanand Tewari did not hold back in slamming former Indian skipper and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar when he said that the latter “did not deserve to get Bharat Ratna”.

Tewari’s comment came following a tweet made by the Mumbai-born icon as a response to international activists and celebrities like Greta Thunberg, Rihanna and Mia Khalifa talking about the ongoing farmers’ protest in India.

India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants.
Indians know India and should decide for India. Let's remain united as a nation.#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda

“India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants. Indians know India and should decide for India. Let's remain united as a nation. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda,” Tendulkar tweeted on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Tewari said, “Farmers live in villages and do not know about Twitter and what is being written here. Once two foreigners supported the farmers, Tendulkar jumped into the debate. Tendulkar is a brand ambassador of several products and did not deserve to get Bharat Ratna. There are many deserving people like Dhyanchand who should have got it.”

Tewari’s jibe at Tendulkar was not the only thing that went against the cricketer’s image on Friday as ANI reported a group of Youth Congress workers in Kochi pouring black oil on the cricketer’s portrait.

Kerala: Members of Indian Youth Congress pour black oil on a cut-out of Sachin Tendulkar in Kochi, over his tweet on international personalities tweeting on #FarmLaws. pic.twitter.com/Vy2DYuDk15

However, since the above-mentioned incident, Tendulkar supporters have joined forces and have come to the rescue of the ‘master blaster’ with the #IStandWithSachin hashtag.

Supporters are trying to remind the critics of all the work the athlete had put in during his days as an active cricketer which helped him earn the ‘God of Cricket’ fame and led to him not only being recognised with the prestigious Bharat Ratna but also an honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.

Person who carried billion expectations on his shoulders for 24 years !
The one who has given us happiness during difficult times I Support him will forever support him @sachin_rt #IStandWithSachin pic.twitter.com/AfYlFcubV8

“Person who carried billion expectations on his shoulders for 24 years! The one who has given us happiness during difficult times I Support him will forever support him @sachin_rt #IStandWithSachin” wrote Twitter user @Shinde25sneha.

Sad to see youth in Kerala, shamefully disrespecting Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar ji.. This is such a disgraceful way to treat a man who won tons of international laurels and accolades for our nation! #IStandWithSachin 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/lWigRTidpZ

“Sad to see youth in Kerala, shamefully disrespecting Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar ji.. This is such a disgraceful way to treat a man who won tons of international laurels and accolades for our nation! #IStandWithSachin,” wrote @AbhinandanKaul, another Twitter user.

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