NEW DELHI: Disability rights groups and activists have slammed former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina for “insulting, abusing and deriding” people with disabilities in a viral video.
The former cricketers shared a video on Instagram, which showed them trying to recreate Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal's viral dance step from the song "Tauba Tauba."
The caption said, "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 former cricketers shared it on Instagram after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the World Championship of Legends final.
In the video, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Raina are seen limping and holding their backs to show the physical toll the matches have taken on their bodies.
Speaking with The New Indian Express, Dr Satendra Singh, a medical doctor and noted disability activist said, “The sore imagery demonstrated by them, especially with Yuvraj being a cancer survivor himself, has the potential to sustain the psycho-emotional pathways of oppression. The mocking by these cricketers is an act of insult, abuse, and ridicule.”
“Cricket’s social impact is reflected in the way cricketers are widely applauded in India, with a popularity that cuts across all class divides and has a great ability to influence the messages. When such role models imitate disability, it has the potential to make fun of marginalised disabled people in India,” he added.
The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) said they had registered a police case against the former cricketers for “intentionally insulting and mocking persons with disabilities” with the Delhi Police under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, 1950, which allows every person to have a Right to Life with dignity and also violates the section 92 of Rights of Person with Disabilities Act, 2016.
In their police complaint to the Station House Officer of Amar Colony Police Station, Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, said the "celebrated cricketers, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Gurkeerat Mann video" can be "seen intentionally insulting, mimicking and making fun of persons with disabilities."
“This entire act has been done in disguise of casual entertainment,” the complaint said.
Ali said they also want to register a complaint against Sandhya Devanathan, Vice-President and Managing Director of Meta India, as the platform is also violating the Information Technology Act 2000 by allowing such content to be posted on their platform Instagram
Ali said in such “circumstances, it is a humble request to take necessary and appropriate action against these anti-social elements.”
“I hope prompt action is taken to ensure no one dares to demean disability,” he said, adding that this disrespect harms 20 crore disabled Indians.
Calling the video "totally disgraceful," National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD), a cross-disability rights organisation, said, "No words are sufficient enough to condemn such behaviour, especially when displayed by people considered national heroes.”
“Such degrading actions only expose their total insensitivity and boorishness," the NPRD said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
After the severe backlash, Harbhajan Singh took to X (Twitter) and apologized in a long post. he said that the video was to show how their bodies were after playing continuous cricket for 15 days.
“We didn't wanted to hurt anyone's sentiments. We respect every individual and community... 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. Plz let's stop this here and move forward. Stay happy and healthy love to all. Regards,” wrote the Rajya Sabha MP.