New Delhi: Rising hatred against Muslims and the continued upsurge of Hindu extremism under RSS-inspired Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule in “secular” India is no secret today. An example of this phenomenon was witnessed following Pakistan’s emphatic win over its archrival during their first T20 World Cup encounter in Dubai on Sunday.
Following the defeat, many Indians took to different social media platforms to vent out their anger on India’s ace pacer Mohammad Shami, a Muslim who went for 43 runs in 3.5 overs without taking any wicket.
He bowled the 18th over of the match where we went for 17 runs as he was smashed around the park by Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, sealing the deal for the Green Shirts.
However, even before the start of the over, the match was more or less lost by India as Pakistan only needed 17 runs off 18 balls. But, this didn’t stop Indians from going after the Muslim bowler as many started to question his “loyalty”.
“Bloody Pakistani in team India,” said one user under Shami’s Instagram post.
“A Muslim sided with Pakistan… How much money did you get,” another wrote.
“Go back to Pakistan so we can have some peace here,” someone else said.
“Were you playing for Pakistan, you Pakistani!,” another hate-filled Instagram post read.
Mohammad Shami is an Indian cricketer; a bowler. These are comments on his IG right now, with people claiming he took money from Pakistan that he was playing for Pakistan and helped India lose because he is a Muslim. https://t.co/a9ZK5BEojF
The abuse was heavily criticised on both sides of the border as many came to the defence of the Indian pacer who has bagged 195 Test, 148 ODI and 12 T20 wickets for India and is considered one of their top bowlers.
One of the all-time greats Sachin Tendulkar, taking to Twitter, backed Shami saying that he is a world-class bowler.
“Mohammad Shami is a committed, world-class bowler. He had an off day like any other sportsperson can have,” he wrote on his official handle.
“When we support #TeamIndia, we support every person who represents Team India.”
Indian legendary commentator Harsha Bhogle asked all those who are saying bad things about Shami to don’t watch cricket. “We won’t even miss you,” he added.
Ex-chief minister of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Omar Abdullah said that Shami was one of 11 players who lost last night, he wasn’t the only player on the field. AFP
