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India Champions, featuring Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final of the World Championship of Legends 2024 on July 13 in Birmingham. Bowling first, India did a good job to restrict Pakistan to 156-6 as Anureet Singh. In theor chase, India got home in 19.1 overs as Ambati Rayudu hit 50 off 30, while Yusuf Pathan slammed 30 off 16.
A video of one of the post-match celebrations featuring Harbhajan, Yuvra, and Raina has, however, sparked a major controversy. In the clip, the star cricketers are seen walking awkwardly while grooving to the viral 'Tauba Tauba' song originally picturized on Vicky Kaushal. The cricket superstars have been accused by some of mocking the disabled in their celebration video.
In the clip, Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Raina, all of whom have retired, are seen limping and holding their backs, trying to demonstrate how playing matches in WCL 2024 has affected their bodies. The video, though, hasn't gone down well with many, especially the disabled section of society.
"This isn't funny" - Para-badminton player Manasi Joshi lashes out at Harbhajan and Raina
After the controversial video of Harbhajan, Raina and Yuvraj went viral, para-badminton player Manasi Joshi hit out at the cricketers, saying that what they did wasn't funny. Expressing disappointment over the clip, she said that she expected more responsibility from the star sportspersons.
Leaving a comment on Harbhajan's now deleted post, Manasi wrote:
"Wanted more responsibility from stars that you all are, please do not mock at the gait patters of people with disabilities. This isn't funny. You don't know how much harm your behaviour can do an the appreciation you're getting from people around, it's appalling to see. This reel of yours is going to encourage that it is ok to make fun of walking patters of people with disabilities for a few laughs. More young children disabilities will be bullied by this reel.
"If any of you athletes would have done responsible community service in disability service area, you all would not have come up with this reel. I'm scared how the PR agencies of these athletes approved this reel for public platform. I'm really disappointed in you @harbhajan3 @sureshraina3 and all the people who in comments section who are appreciating this reel," she went on to add.
The 35-year-old Joshi is a former world champion in para badminton women's singles SL3 category.
Harbhajan Singh issues apology after backlash
With the Tauba Tauba reel featuring Indian cricketers receiving a lot of backlash, Harbhajan deleted the post from social media and issued an apology.
He clarified that the players didn't mean to hurt anyone's sentiments and the aim was just to show how their bodies reacted after playing continuous cricket during the World Championship of Legends 2024.
"Just wanted to clear to our people (sic) who are complaining about our recent videos of Tauba Tauba on social media after winning the championship here in England we didn't wanted to hurt anyone's sentiments. We respect every individual and community and this video was just to reflect to our bodies after playing continues cricket for 15 days," Harbhajan tweeted.
"SORE bodies..we r not trying to insult or offend anyone..still if people think we hv dones 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." he added in the same post.
Harbhajan was India's leading wicket-taker in WCL 2024. In seven matches, he claimed eight wickets at an average of 15 and an economy rate of 6.67.
Complaint filed against Harbhajan, Yuvraj and Raina over viral reel
The viral Tauba Tauba reel has landed Harbhajan, Yuvraj and Raina in legal trouble. A police complaint has been filed against the former international cricketers (and Gurkeerat Mann, who also featured in the clip) for allegedly mocking people with disabilities.
As per news agency ANI, Arman Ali, Executive director of the National Council for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People lodged a complaint at Amar Colony police station in New Delhi. Meta India has also been named in the complaint for violating the Information Technology Act.
"This video is a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees every person the right to life with dignity. It also breaches Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and contravenes the Supreme Court's guidelines established in the case of Nipun Malhotra v. Sony Pictures Films India Private Limited (2004 SCC Online SC 1639)," Ali said in the complaint, as quoted by Indian Today.
There were mixed reactions to the viral video on social media. While some slammed the cricketers, others feel that a needless controversy is being created out of nothing.
