Rizwan Jai Shree Ram : Politicians criticise fans for pampering Pak cricketer Rizwan

Rizwan Jai Shree Ram : A video has surfaced on social media where Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Rizwani was seen chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by some fans in Ahmedabad  while walking back to the pavilion during the India-Pakistan match  on Saturday. 

The crowd of fans chanted “Jai Shri Ram” (Halil Lord Ram) several times as Rizwan walked back to the pavilion after being dismissed by paceman Jasprit Bumrah. 

Rizwan finished with 49 runs and Pakistan just 191, a target  India chased down without much fanfare to register their eighth consecutive World Cup win over their neighbours. 

Rizwan Jai Shree Ram : Several politicians condemned the act.  

DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin released the video and commented that such behaviour by the mob was “unacceptable”. However, the treatment of Pakistani players at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is unacceptable and is a new low. Sports should be a unifying force between nations and promote true brotherhood. Using it as a tool. to spread hatred is to be condemned”, he wrote in X.  

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale also criticised fans for abusing Rizwan. “Prime Minister Modi is really desperate for India to host the 2036 Olympics. But when the BJP has reduced our audience so much – where they mouth off a Pakistani player while chanting Jai Shri Ram – there are still big doubts about whether we are competent and athletic enough to host. At any international sporting event,” he wrote. 

However, former Indian spinner and commentator Laxman Sivaramakrishnan gave a rebuttal to the  Indian fans’ misbehaviour towards Rizwan. 

In response to journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, who questioned  fans about Rizwani’s treatment, Sivaramakrishnan wrote, “The abuse I received in Pakistan as a 16-year-old is something only I know. From my  religion to the country and culture. For heaven’s sake, if you haven’t experienced it, don’t talk about it. You can say whatever makes you happy. 

The Pakistani players led by Babar Azam received immense respect and a warm welcome when they first arrived in Hyderabad and then in Ahmedabad.