Protesters Holding 'No $1BN Adani Loan' Posters Invade Pitch During India's First ODI In Sydney
The first ODI between India and Australia in Sidney saw some dramatic moments during the game on Friday.
Two men invaded the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) holding placards saying 'No $1BN Adani Loan'.
The two men made their way into the centre fielding circle holding up cardboard signs before the start of the seventh over.
It took a while before the security guards reacted and escorted the protesters out of the field as players and umpires stood around wondering what was happening. The invaders were protesters against Adani Group and held 'NO $1BN ADANI LOAN' sign.
The front of the protesters' T-shirt read "#StopAdani", while at the back, it said "Stop Coal. #StopAdani. Take Action."
According to Fox Sports, a group named 'Stop Adani' issued a press release, urging the State Bank of India (SBI) not to approve a loan of $1 billion Australian dollars to Adani.
"Well that was possibly the oddest pitch invasion I've ever seen," tweeted cricket journalist Melinda Farrell.
The Adani group, owned by Gautam Adani, who is also one of the richest men in India has been embroiled in controversy in Australia over a coal mining project.
What's the controversy?
The Stop Adani movement became a household name both in Australia and abroad, due to the mine's planning and construction taking place against a backdrop of rising climate change concern.
Coal is Australia's second-biggest export after iron ore and the country earns more than $53billion each year from it.
However, in recent years, environmentalists have been pushing the country to move away from coal.
?In Australia, the mining and burning of coal is the single largest source of air pollution and every year approximately 3,000 Australians die due to it.
The 'Stop Adani' campaign also makes some serious allegations against the business practices of the Indian businessman.
They also allege that the mine will have serious consequences on the traditional settlements of an indigenous community the Wangan and Jagalingou people who have said no to Adani four times and are battling Adani in the courts.
The impacts of Adani’s coal project also extend to Juru, Jaanga and Birri country. The Federal Court ruled in 2018 that Adani had not followed proper processes in conducting cultural heritage surveys at its Abbot Point site.
