DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi has come under fire again for criticising Indian fans who chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans before Pakistani cricketers during the India-Pakistan World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Referring to a video of the said incident, Udhayanidhi said that the behaviour of Indian fans was a “new low”.
“India is renowned for its sportsmanship and hospitality. However, the treatment meted out to Pakistan players at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is unacceptable and a new low. Sports should be a unifying force between countries, fostering true brotherhood. Using it as a tool to spread hatred is condemnable,” he tweeted on X.
The remark drew a sharp response from BJP leaders, with Gaurav Bhatia, the party’s national spokesperson, referring to him as a “mosquito spreading poison.”
Videos capturing the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans while Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan made his way to the dugout have triggered heated reactions. Many individuals have criticised this behaviour as contrary to the spirit of cricket, bordering on harassment of the cricketer.
On the other hand, some people pointed out Rizwan’s on-field namaz and expressions of solidarity with those affected by the conflict in Gaza during a previous match. These individuals allege that it was the Pakistani cricketer who introduced religious elements onto the field.
Earlier, Udhayanidhi had sparked political controversy with his remarks regarding Sanatana Dharma, which drew criticism from the BJP. He had previously commented that Sanatana Dharma is incompatible with the concept of social justice and should be “eradicated.”
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The BJP has pointed out that there seemed to be no issue when a match was paused for Namaz on the field, stating that “Our Lord Ram resides in every corner of the universe, so say Jai Shri Ram.”
Saket Gokhale, a Trinamool Congress MP, also criticised the chanting of slogans to heckle the Pakistani cricketer, expressing concerns about India’s readiness to host the 2036 Olympics, a desire Prime Minister Modi has publicly conveyed.
“PM Modi desperately wants India to host the 2036 Olympics. But if this is what the BJP has reduced our audiences to – where they heckle a Pakistani player with chants of Jai Shri Ram – massive doubts remain over whether we’re qualified & sporting enough to host ANY international sporting event,” he wrote on X.
The visit of the Pakistani cricket team to the World Cup and the warm reception it received in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad have resulted in mixed responses. While some cricket enthusiasts argue that political differences should not mar the game, others point to Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and question how normal sports relations can be maintained amidst border tensions.