The video featuring Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh allegedly mocked people with disabilities. The video has been taken down following an uproar.
New Delhi: Paralympic gold medalist Pramod Bhagat on Monday questioned the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh for the example they are setting out in public after the former cricketers’ video allegedly mocking people with disabilities went viral on social media. The incident came into light when the now-deleted video had Harbhajan, Raina and Yuvraj limping and holding their backs to show the physical toll their bodies had taken during the World Championship of Legends.
“Body ki Tauba Tauba ho Gayi in 15 days legends cricket… Every part of the body is sore. Straight competition to our brothers @vickykaushal09 @karanaujla our version of Tauba Tauba dance. What a SONG,” the caption of the video read. However, this didn’t go down well with star para-shuttler Bhagat, who felt the cricketers’ actions had a negative impact on the para community.
“Definitely, they have acted like persons with disabilities. There is a lot of difference between pain and disability. Initially the way they acted, it describes the ‘pain’, but the way they held their legs, it definitely indicates persons with disabilities,” Bhagat told India.com in an exclusive interaction.
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— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) July 14, 2024
“I have noticed Harbhajan Singh several times supporting the people with disabilities. Obviously these things have hurt the para community,” added the 36-year-old, who won gold at Tokyo Paralympics. “We belong to the disability community and we know how it feels to be a disable person.
Bhagat also felt these kinds of mistakes from big names like Harbhajan and others aren’t accepted. “And they aren’t small names. Everybody knows what they have done for the country in cricket and if they commit such kind of mistakes, what kind of example these legends are setting? They should all apologize to the public. If these icons disrespect us then what will be our expectations from the world?” questioned the Odisha-born para-shuttler.
Earlier, World Championship gold-medallist para shuttler Manasi Joshi strongly criticised the former Indian cricketers’ act. Manasi, the 2019 World Championship gold-medallist para shuttler in 2019 and silver-medallist at the 2023 Asian Games in doubles, posted an Instagram story saying, “You don’t know how much harm your behaviour can do and the appreciation you are getting from the people around, it’s appalling to see.”
“Wanted more responsibility from stars that you all are, please do not mock at the gait patterns of people with disabilities. This isn’t fully,” said the 35-year-old athlete, whose leg was amputated following a road accident in 2011. “This reel of yours is going to encourage that it is ok to make fun of walking patterns of people with disabilities for a few laughs. More young children with disabilities will be bullied by using this reel,” she added.
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 15, 2024
Following the uproar, Harbhajan deleted the video from Instagram and issued an apology. “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,” he continued.
“We didn’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments. We respect every individual and community and this video was just to reflect to our bodies after playing continuous cricket for 15 days. SORE bodies.. we are not trying to insult or offend anyone… still if people think we have done something wrong.. all I can say from my side SORRY to everyone… please let’s stop this here and move forward. Stay happy and healthy (sic),” Harbhajan said in the post.
