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Former Indian cricketers, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina, who recently featured in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024, have received massive backlash despite lifting the inaugural title, beating the likes of Australia Champions, Pakistan Champions. The video shared by Harbhajan, which saw the Indian cricketers express their body being sore, went viral and garnered attention from all around the world.
But a section of fans took a different perspective out of it and question the Indian legends mocking disability, which has been a massive concern especially in India. In the wake of the same, Executive Director of the National Council for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Arman Ali questioned it and has lodged a complaint on the same. “I think it’s an insult to more than 10 crore disabled people of India. Harbhajan Singh is an MP, and he should raise his voice for the disabled, but what kind of video he is making? … In India there is an acute lack of awareness concerning disabilities. You are spreading myth and making fun of them and that’s why I have filed a complaint,” said Arman Ali as reported by ANI.
Things did not rest here as Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India, Sandhya Devanathan also lodged an FIR for violating the Information Technology Act of 2000. As per the complaint registered by Meta India VP, Meta-owned Instagram violates the act by allowing Harbhajan’s video to be posted. The report further mentions that a simple apology from the cricketers was not enough and “they should be penalised for their actions” he told PTI.
Harbhajan Singh issues apology; deletes video post on ‘Tau ba Tauba’
Before things could change the course, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh was quick to issue an apology, however clarified that his intentions weren’t to hurt the disabled and simply portrayed how their bodies feel after playing cricket after a gap.
"Just wanted to clear to our people who are complaining about our recent videos of Tauba Tauba on social media after winning the championship here in England. We didn't wanted to hurt anyone's sentiments. We respect every individual and community And this video was just to reflect to our bodies after playing continues cricket for 15days. SORE bodies.. we r not trying to insult or offend anyone.. still if people think we hv done something wrong.. All I can say from my side SORRY to everyone..plz let's stop this here and move forward. Stay happy and healthy. Love to all. Regards," Harbhajan posted.
He also was quick to pull the video post down from his social media handles. Earlier, Manasi Joshi, a para-badminton player called the trio to be more responsible and avoid poking fun at handicapped people. “This isn’t legendary if you’re mocking gait patterns of people with polio. This will enable bullying of young children with disabilities in India. You don’t know how much harm your behaviour can do. The appreciation you’re getting from people around is appalling to see," she had written in the comment section.
"This reel of yours is going to encourage that it is ok to make fun of the walking patterns of people with disabilities for a few laughs. More young children with disabilities will be bullied by using this reel. If any of you athletes would have done responsible community service in disability space area, you all would not have come up with this reel,” Manasi further added.
