MUMBAI – Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina are facing criticism from social media users for allegedly mocking disabled individuals in a viral video. The controversy arose after a video celebrating their victory in the World Championship of Legends led to a complaint being filed against them.
Harbhajan Singh posted a video on Instagram featuring himself, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Gurkeerat Mann limping to the tune of “Toba Toba” from the upcoming film “Bad News.” In the caption, Harbhajan tagged actor Vicky Kaushal and singer Karan Aujla, mentioning that their bodies were sore after 15 days of playing in the Legends Cricket tournament.
The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage among social media users who accused the cricketers of mocking both Pakistani players and disabled individuals. Some users interpreted the video as a mockery of senior Pakistani players involved in the Legends League, while others found it offensive to disabled individuals.
Para-badminton star Manasi Joshi expressed her dismay, labeling the cricketers’ actions as “insensitive.” She called for responsible behavior from the players, emphasizing that such videos promote the harassment of disabled children and youths. Joshi specifically mentioned her disappointment with Harbhajan and Suresh.
As the backlash intensified, Harbhajan Singh removed the video and issued an apology on social media. He stated that the intent was not to offend anyone and clarified that the video was meant to depict their physical exhaustion after continuous play. He reiterated their respect for all individuals and communities.
Despite the apology, Arman Ali, Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), filed a complaint against the cricketers under Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
