The petition wants 19 IPL matches to be held in the state to be moved out of Maharashtra.
Like most college students, Rushabh Mamania loves cricket and the Indian Premier League or IPL is a big draw in the living room every evening.
But it the 20-year-old's petition on Change.org to move IPL matches out of Maharashtra that has got over 40,000 signatures.
The petition, addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Mumbai Cricket Association Head Sharad Pawar, wants the 19 odd matches scheduled to be held in the state during IPL's season 9 to be moved out of the state.
The reason, he says is that the IPL needs 60 lakh litres of water for the cricket grounds at a time of the severe water crisis in Maharashtra that's reeling under one of its worst droughts.
"I'm fond of the IPL but given the drought in Maharashtra I don't think matches should be held here. I'm not asking for it to be stopped, just for a change in the venue," Rushabh said.
The third-year college student is supporting the petition even as his exams are underway with two papers to go on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I've been following the news on the drought and I've seen how there's almost a riot - like situation in the drought hit regions when a water tanker arrives. Just because we get water, we shouldn't be insensitive to the problems of others. In fact, that's probably why the petition has been signed by so many people," he said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India was strongly criticised by the Bombay High Court last week that even asked, "It is a question of priority - people or a game?"
The court had allowed the opening match to take place in Mumbai, and will continue the hearing tomorrow.
Last week Chief Miniter Devendra Fadnavis said he would not have a problem if IPL matches were moved out of the state this year, but his party colleague and BCCI general secretary warned that the shifting of IPL matches could cost the state Rs 100 crore in lost revenue.