Dhoni temple plan not favoured by family

Ranchi, Dec 25 (PTI) The proposed temple for India
cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni by fans has not gone down
well with his family.

"I was speaking to Dhoni's father Paan Singh Wednesday
and learnt that the family is not happy with the development.
They feel there should be a balance in the response from fans
- burning his effigy when things with the team go wrong and
worshipping him when on song," Dhoni's former coach Chanchal
Bhattacharya said.

The burning of Dhoni's effigy and attack on their house
after India lost to Bangladesh in the last World Cup is still
fresh in the mind of family members.

His sister had even called up the president of 'Dhoni Fan
Club' - Jitendra Singh - and urged him not to go ahead with
the proposed temple.

"I was told living beings should not be projected as gods
nor keep their statues in temple," Jitendra said quoting
Dhoni's sister.

"I have immense respect for Dhoni's family but I have to
take the view of other members of the club before taking any
decision," he added.

"Maybe the structure will not take the shape of a temple.
We might keep Dhoni's statue in the gallery we have proposed
to construct to display his photographs taken during the last
26 years... Everything will be discussed and decided in the
meeting," he said.

The 'Dhoni Fan Club' has already placed an order for a
5-feet statue of the cricketer.

"If statues of Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah
Rukh Khan can find place in London, what is the problem in
installing Dhoni's? Anyway, we will review our proposal and
announce it soon," Jitendra said.

Bhattacharya said fans should show respect to the players
at all times, irrespective of whether he is in form or going
through lean patch.

The fan club could set up a photo gallery of the
cricketer, suggested former Bihar Ranji player and deputy
manager (sports) of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) Adil
Hussein, who was the captain of the CCL team when Dhoni was
a member in the 1990s.

For former Test cricketer Ramesh Saxena the temple
project should not have objections from any quarters.

"It is a feeling for their (fans) hero. A temple will not
hamper Dhoni's performance," said Saxena. PTI PVR
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