Ahmadabad: The Indian pacer, Muhammad Shami was heckled by BJP-RSS Hindutva zealots in BJP ruled Indian state Gujarat.
The Hindu zealots chanted “Shami, Jai Shri Ram” and other Hindutva religious slogans as the players huddled near the dugout after the day’s play during the ongoing fourth Test match between India and Australia.
They initially could be heard shouting ‘Surya.’ The fans then proceeded to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” while one hollered at Shami. The fast bowler has been subjected to massive trolling in the past too. The player kept his cool and did not respond to the heckling.
The video of the obnoxious incident has gone viral and netizens appeared divided on the issue.
One user dubbed the hecklers as ‘paid crowd,’ bought by BJP which is reported to have bought over 80 per cent of the tickets of the Test match. Few users critiqued fans supporting Shami as ‘Hinduphobic.’
Not long ago, young Indian fast bowler, Arshdeep Singh, was heavily trolled and dubbed a Khalistani after Indian team lost to Pakistan in T20 Asia Cup match in Dubai.
The anti-Muslim bigotry is deep-rooted in India. This profound polarisation, without any doubt does not augur well for the secular and pluralistic fabric in India.
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