Former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh are in hot water after a video of them celebrating India's victory over Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends League went viral. The trio, who played a pivotal role in India's victory, were seen dancing to the popular song "Tauba Tauba" in the dressing room. However, their dance moves have upset para-athletes and netizens alike, calling for an apology.
The Hook Step Controversy
In the finals held in Birmingham, India's champions defeated Pakistan's champions to clinch the title in the first edition of the World Championship of Legends. After their win, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, and Raina attempted the hook step of "Tauba Tauba," a song sung by actor Vicky Kaushal.
Para-Athletes' Outrage
The video quickly went viral, drawing ire from India's para-athletes. Para-swimmer Shams Alam and badminton star, Arjuna awardee Manasi Joshi, condemned the dance, stating that it was disrespectful to the differently-abled community. They criticized the former cricketers for mocking the differently-abled through their gestures.
Social Media Backlash
The outrage spilled onto social media, with many users demanding an apology from the cricketers. "This is shameful, and these three should apologize," wrote one user. Another commented, "Mocking the differently-abled is unacceptable. These stars need to be more sensitive."
Para-Athletes' Response
In response, para-athletes took to Instagram to voice their discontent. "We understand the exhaustion after a match, but the manner in which you expressed it is hurtful and mocking to the differently-abled community," they posted. They urged the cricketers to reflect on their actions and consider the impact if someone close to them were mocked similarly.
Para-Olympics India Speaks Out
The Paralympics India organization also expressed their disappointment, calling the behavior "shameful." They emphasized that as celebrities, the cricketers have a responsibility to foster positive emotions and not mock the differently-abled. The organization called for an apology, stating that such actions amount to discrimination.
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