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Harbhajan Singh in the video and Manasi Joshi (Instagram)
Manasi Joshi criticised Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh for their video ‘mocking people with disabilities’.
World Championship gold-medallist para shuttler Manasi Joshi on Monday strongly criticised former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina for allegedly mocking people with disabilities saying that the now-deleted video uploaded on Instagram set a very bad precedent.
A police complaint has also been filed against the three former cricketers.
The deleted Instagram video had Harbhajan, Raina and Yuvraj Singh limping and holding their backs to show the physical toll their bodies had taken during the World Championship of Legends held recently in England. All are retired cricketers.
The former cricketers shared the video after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final of the tournament.
“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 caption of the video read.
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Manasi, the 2019 World Championship gold-medallist para shuttler in 2019 and silver-medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games in doubles, posted an Insta story saying, “You don’t know how much harm your behaviour can do and the appreciation you are getting from the people around, it’s appalling to see,” wrote Manasi, 35.
“Wanted more responsibility from stars that you all are, please do not mock at the gait patterns of people with disabilities. This isn’t fully,” said the athlete, whose leg was amputated following a road accident in 2011.
“This reel of yours is going to encourage that it is ok to make fun of walking patterns of people with disabilities for a few laughs. More young children with disabilities will be bullied by using this reel,” she added.
Following an uproar over the video, Harbhajan Singh posted a clarification on ‘X’, saying there was no intention to insult anyone.
ALSO READ | ‘Sorry to Everyone’: Harbhajan Singh Issues Apology After Disability Rights Groups Lodge Police Complaint Over Viral Video
In a post on ‘X’, Harbhajan Singh said, “Just wanted to clear to our people who are complaining about our recent videos of ‘Tauba Tauba’ on social media after winning the championship here in England. We didn’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments. We respect every individual and community and this video was just to reflect to our bodies after playing continuous cricket for 15 days.
“SORE bodies.. 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… please let’s stop this here and move forward. Stay happy and healthy (sic),” he said in the post.
(With inputs from Agencies)
