Hyderabad: Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir took to Twitter after Pakistan’s 10 wicket win over India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to react to firecrackers being used in celebrations in some parts of the country.
“Firecrackers are banned during Diwali but yesterday in parts of India there were firecrackers to celebrate Pakistan’s victory. Achcha they must have been celebrating victory of cricket. Toh, what’s the harm in fireworks on Diwali. Hypocrisy kyun ,Saara gyaan tab hi yaad aata hai,” retired star batsman Virender Sehwag said.
On Sunday, students hailing from Kashmir were attacked post India’s defeat in two universities located in Punjab. Aside from this, Indian Muslims have already become a target of hate crimes following India’s devastating loss in just a game. Tweets like these with subtle insinuations or dog-whistles have drawn much criticism on Twitter.
A cricket fan pointed out how former Bangladeshi cricketer Mashrafe Mortaza condemned violence against Hindus and called for harmony, whereas former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag is instigating communal disharmony against Muslims by spreading fake news. He called Sehwag “Nazi scum.”
Former journalist, Irena Akbar tweeted that Sehwag was fined at Auckland airport for wearing filthy shoes in 2002, “His mind and heart are equally filthy.”
Former cricketer and current Member of Parliament, Gautam Gambhir also tweeted on the same lines as Sehwag. He declared “those bursting crackers on Pakistan winning can’t be Indian” and got called out for conducting the NRC by seeing who supports which team in a cricket match.
He got called a hate-monger with a sick mind.