During a time when we all talk about the ‘global fight’ against the global Coronavirus pandemic, India still can’t get past their hatred. Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh had to find this out the worst possible way when they asked people to donate to the Shahid Afridi Foundation. Indian Twitter completely lost it.
It all started when the Shahid Afridi Foundation called for donations to help those in need amid the global pandemic. This call for donations was answered by a number of international cricketers. This includes India’s own Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh.
Both cricketers asked people and cricketers from other countries to donate to the foundation. Yet this move, which was made in good faith, was met with hate by Indians.
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First Harbhajan Singh’s video message faced backlash.
https://twitter.com/harbhajan_singh/status/1244148978326765568
The cricketer’s nationality and nationalism were questioned.
Are you Indian or a Pakistani ?
— Keep Smiling 🙂 (@upma23) March 31, 2020
As well as other allegations.
Lokk what I found, you stand for terrorism and nothing else. pic.twitter.com/xDd8EFPyqf
— The Bong Head (@TheBongHead) March 31, 2020
Indians tried to rationalize hate.
— Roasting Baba (@RoastingBaba_) March 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh tweeted;
“These are testing times, it’s time to look out for each other,”
These are testing times, it’s time to lookout for each other specially the ones who are lesser fortunate. Lets do our bit, I am supporting @SAfridiOfficial & @SAFoundationN in this noble initiative of covid19. Pls donate on https://t.co/yHtpolQbMx #StayHome @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/HfKPABZ6Wh
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) March 31, 2020
He was faced with similar allegations.
https://twitter.com/Vik_happi/status/1244875816971845634
https://twitter.com/kaushik_cal2005/status/1245576342332010503
The misinformation campaign was in full swing.
https://twitter.com/Minu41635941/status/1245528797861957633
Shame on you for supporting this man, whose Afridi tribe ravaged our Kashmir in 1947, & who now loses no opportunity to abuse India & Indians!
— RD (@DharRenuka) March 31, 2020
As for the suggestions that the 38-year-old ex-cricketer should start from home. Well, he did, by raising money to fight coronavirus through his ‘YouWeCan‘ foundation.
https://twitter.com/icedtea28/status/1244916578593804288
But it looks like hate trumps all for bigots.
🙏🏻🙏🏻 PLEASE… Please DON’T donate your HARD EARNED MONEY to Yuvraj’s Foundation.. God know he will donate your money to his friends in Pakistan🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢Our Indian govt needs your money to fight Corona🦠 in India. Plz Donate to #PMCaresFunds Fund #PM #IndiaFightsCorona
— TEETA KOCHAR (@TeetaKochar) April 1, 2020
One Twitter user was really putting in the effort to spread hate.
https://twitter.com/Abhishe01818945/status/1245538428562751489
https://twitter.com/Abhishe01818945/status/1245539071486619648
Thankfully, some people did come through for the Indian cricketers:
Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh tweeted about helping the Corona Victims in Pakistan
Bhakts abused them, questioned their Patriotism & then they have to put out a clarification tweet
Imagine People who gave their whole life & career for India being Labelled as Anti National
— 🤡🤡 (@aasim_jaffar) April 2, 2020
Only two indians i follow on twitter @YUVSTRONG12 & @harbhajan_singh .
Indian people need to use their brains before criticizing both of them. Shahid afridi also gave a shoutout in past for their charity works. Be a human dear indians.— Ehtsam Talat (@EhtsamTalat) April 2, 2020
Dear @harbhajan_singh & @YUVSTRONG12 . No need to prove your patriotism. pic.twitter.com/nU2KDM3mEU
— Abhay 𝕏 (@Abhay29121995) April 2, 2020
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The World Cup-winning batsman responded to the hate with;
“I really don’t understand how a message to help the most vulnerable gets blown out of proportion!,”
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 1, 2020
He asserted his good intentions and how people need to drop their biases at least in a time like now.
“All I tried to achieve via that message was to help people in our respective countries by providing healthcare, my intention was not to hurt anyone’s feelings. I’m an Indian and will always bleed blue and will always stand for humanity.”
Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi thanked the two cricketers and later offered support against all the hate.
Thank you for all you support-both yourself & my brother @harbhajan_singh are huge pillars of support; this bond we have shows love & peace transgresses borders when it comes to humanity especially. Best wishes to you with your noble endeavours with @YOUWECAN #DonateKaroNa https://t.co/IVhqywdl3q
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 31, 2020
Very sad to see simple messages of humanity getting misunderstood! We r ambassadors for Love & peace ,
Truly value the support extended by @YUVSTRONG12 & @harbhajan_singh for coming forward & urging people to #DonateKaroNa #HumanitybeyondBorders https://t.co/x5Uo5GUNp5— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 1, 2020
Indians really need to do better than play the terrorism card against Pakistanis like Shahid Afridi. When will these people learn to behave like mature and responsible adults?
