Picture Credit: Twitter
The former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has slammed the Indian journalist for stigmatising the “Jai Shri Ram” chant, which was used by the fans during the India versus Pakistan match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, during ODI World Cup 2023. The 57-year-old talked about receiving abuse as a 16-year-old boy in Pakistan during a cricket tour, before stating that if you haven’t experienced something, it’s better to not talk about it.
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In a post on X, Rajdeep Sardesai spoke about how “Ram Ram” is known as a daily greeting, which should have been a reason for the cricket fans to not hurl “Jai Shri Ram” chant in the face of Pakistan players. He also spoke about how Lord Ram, Maryada Purshottam is known for enlightening the masses, not making them hostile.
It read, “Afternoon musing: in our park in the morning, we often say ‘Ram Ram’ as an affectionate greeting to each other. Why then use Jai Shri Ram as an aggressive chant to mock Pakistani players? Lord Ram is Maryada Purshottam: he must bring enlightenment, not evoke enmity. Agree?”
In his comments section, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan wrote a scathing retort, calling out Rajdeep Sardesai for his post on X. It read, “What abuses I have got as a 16 year old in Pakistan, only I know. From my colour to my religion to my country and culture. For Heaven’s sake if you have not experienced it, please don’t talk about it.”
Notably, in a viral clip on X, Mohammad Rizwan was a subject to “Jai Shri Ram” chants from fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, when he walked back to the pavilion. The highly intense ODI World Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan ended in the favour of the hosts, who got the better of the Men in Green by seven wickets, to extend their winning streak in the tournament against them to eight.
