3 Times when Indian cricketers lashed out at racism

We have often come across cases where a lot of people have been discriminated because of their race, caste, colour and appearance. But quite a few people have come out in defence of racism and discrimination. In fact, almost a year ago, former USA President Barack Obama tweeted, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion…” In fact, it was the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. to end racism. “I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls,” he had said.

And racism in sport is not the best thing. Quite a few years back, champion boxer Muhammad Ali had quoted, “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.”

In recent times, we have seen quite a few cricketers being subjected to racism and that includes Indian players as well. Not only Indian players but also quite a few international cricketers have been subjected to racial discrimination. The likes of Usman Khawaja and Hashim Amla have been racially abused at some point. The Harbhajan-Symonds saga which broke out in Sydney in 2008 was also surrounding racial charges the former was accused of (though these charges were dropped later on). These are just a few incidents of racisms in our sport.

Hence, racial discrimination or racism is not new to the game of cricket. Thus, here we look at 3 Indian cricketers who have lashed out at racism. In fact, all the three highlighted incidents have taken place over the last 15 months or so.

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Harbhajan Singh

Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh accused a Jet Airways pilot for his racial comments and discrimination against an Indian passenger. This incident took place more than a year ago during the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when Harbhajan was playing for Mumbai Indians (MI).

The Punjab off-spinner lashed out at the pilot for ‘physically assaulting a lady’ and ‘misbehaving and abusing a physically challenged man’. He took to Twitter and sent out a series of tweets expressing his displeasure and termed this incident ‘absolutely disgraceful & shameful’. He demanded for some strict to be taken and tweeted out a #proudtobeindian hashtag.

So called this Bernd Hoesslin a pilot with @jetairways called my fellow indian(u bloody indian get out of my flight)while he is earning here

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 26, 2017

Not only was he racist but physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man..absolutely disgraceful &shame on @jetairways

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 26, 2017

Harbhajan also criticised Jet Airways for not taking immediate action later in the media and termed the pilot’s behaviour as ‘totally racist’. Jet Airways later issued an apology note for the above incident. “Jet Airways has zero tolerance towards any action of our employees that contravene local or international laws. Additionally, we have a strict employee code of conduct which is based on the values and ethos of the airline. This is clearly mentioned in the prescribed service condition of the employees and is adequately emphasised during international training sessions,” Jet Airways quoted.

Abhinav Mukund

Abhinav Mukund was trolled for his skin colour and tone.

Last year in August, India’s Test and Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund had lashed out on social media after being the subject of many trolls. He sent out a big, length tweet for those who were posting detracting things about his skin colour and the complexion of his skin.

There were quite a few racial comments in some of the pictures posted by the Indian cricket team members at that time. They were in the middle of their tour to Sri Lanka and this incident broke out. He sent out a heartfelt statement on Twitter which read,

pic.twitter.com/bdeSj3Bm9c

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017

Most of the Indian cricketers supported the Tamil Nadu opener and he also got support from quite a few others from the fraternity. He then sent out a couple more tweets requesting people not to target anyone’s skin tone. With this incident, Mukund hoped people’s mindset would change and sent out a big hashtag, #Fairisnttheonlyhandsome.

Guys please don't turn this into something else,it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people 1/2

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017

Who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all !

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017

I hope this can result in a change in our mindsets ! #Fairisnttheonlyhandsome [2/2]

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017

Hemang Badani

Badani has been called 'Setu' all his life.

Hemang Badani is the latest Indian cricketer who has lashed out publicly against racism and racial discrimination. The former Indian cricketer like the others took to Twitter to express his displeasure.

He has been addressed as ‘Setu’ which is a Tamil term used to address the Marwaris or the people who hail from North India. Badani revealed that he hasn’t called or referred anyone by caste or religion and counter-questioned then why should he be subjected to it. He finds people calling him ‘Setu’ as disrespectful.

He requested that to call him and refer him by his name, a name that is given by his beloved parents and no other name. In the last one year or so, Badani is the third Indian cricketer who has lashed out at racism publicly.

Have been called "Setu" all my life and I find it very racist.i dont remember calling anyone by their caste or religion. So why me. I find it extremely disrespectful. My parents have given me a beautiful name and it's only fair that I be called by that name and nothing else.

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) August 7, 2018