Police complaint filed against Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Raina for allegedly mocking differently-abled

Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: Harbhajan Singh/Instagram)

Shortly after India Champions’ victory over Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends 2024, former Indian cricketers, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Gurkeerat Mann have found themselves embroiled in a controversy.

Their contentious post-victory celebration sparked widespread criticism on social media, leading to a backlash from netizens and advocacy groups such as The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) and the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).

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According to recent developments reported by The Hindu, the NCPEDP has filed a police complaint at the Amar Colony police station in New Delhi, alleging the “insulting and mocking” portrayal of differently-abled individuals in the clip going viral online.

“This entire act has been done in disguise of casual entertainment. We also want to register this complaint against Sandhya Devanathan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India as the platform is also in violation of the Information Technology Act of 2000 by allowing such content to be posted on their platform, Instagram, which is violating user guidelines,” the complaint lodged by the executive directory of the NCPEDP, Arman Ali, read further.

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“The video is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India which allows every person to have a right to life with dignity and also violates Section 92 of the Rights of Person with Disabilities Act, 2016,” Ali wrote, seeking necessary and appropriate action against “these anti-social elements”.

Social media responses were varied, with some justifying the cricketers’ celebratory actions as light-hearted humor. However, Manasi Joshi, a distinguished para-badminton champion, and several others criticised the cricketers, emphasizing their expectation of better judgment given the sensitivity of the issue, and denouncing their playful and immature celebrations.