IPL 2020: Is a game our priority: Shashank Vyas

MUMBAI: Shashank Vyas has always voiced his opinions with issues concerning the country. Be it Sushant Singh Rajput's death mystery, or the plight of migrant labourers, the actor has never refrained from speaking his mind. He has now questioned the authorities if it was so important to have the thirteenth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the country is suffering from some bigger issues.

"I just have one question, was it so important to have the IPL this year? We have all been through a really tough time in the past couple of months, so many lives were lost, GDP has shrunk, the economy has been hit so badly, the unemployment rate is at an all-time high, COVID-19 cases are increasing by the day, we are on the verge of fighting a war with China, the list is endless. And these are some bigger issues that I have mentioned. There are other issues that have been completely ignored, and nobody even talks about it, like the small businesses that were shut down, students facing problems with online classes, etc. But we are focussed on a game, is it our priority?" he said.   

(Also Read: Shashank Vyas urges people not to connect depression with Sushant Singh Rajput's death)

"Instead of agreeing on having the tournament this year and that too in another country, the government should have tried to solve at least some problems, if not all. They could have started with compensation to farmers and migrants, then focussed on the border issues, they could have helped students. But all they thought of was IPL. Most of us contributed to the PM Care Fund for COVID-18 relief, but not to organise this mega event by spending crores. Instead of focussing on sensational things, we should focus on the sensitive ones," the actor, who will soon be seen in "Laila Manju" added.

The IPL 2020 is scheduled to kickstart from September 19 and will continue till November 10. Due to the increasing COVID cases in India, the IPL Governing Council decided to have the tournament in UAE this year, and the matches will be held in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.