New Delhi: After Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu prevailed over Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to enter the final of the women’s singles event at the Olympic Games, author Shobhaa De once again sparked the controversy by tweeting an irksome remark on the Hyderabadi.
World No.10 Sindhu registered a 21-19, 21-10 triumph in the semi-finals over No.6 Okuhara on Thursday to become the first Indian shuttler to enter the final of the Olympics badminton.
In the final, she will face two-time reigning world champion Carolina Marin of Spain, who beat defending champion Li Xuerui of China 21-14, 21-16.
After her selfie tweet on India’s delegates to Rio, De’s remark has really rubbed people the wrong way as she was criticised by the twitter users.
“PV SINDHU Silver Princess ?,” De wrote on Thursday and soon she tried to salvage the situation by two new tweets. “Silver minted by Sindhu. Chandi ke baad Sona!!!” and the other “Go for gold, girl!!!”
PV SINDHU Silver Princess ?
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) August 18, 2016
Silver minted by Sindhu. Chandi ke baad Sona!!!
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) August 18, 2016
She was criticised for belittling Sindhu’s achievement and betraying a defeatist mentality about Sindhu’s chances against Marin in the final.
Twitter users responded to the tweet:
just shut up. She can win the gold as well.
— Manash Pratim Gohain (@ManashPG) August 18, 2016
what a way to stay in the news & relevant! Then blame haters by crying misogyny! You do so much disservice to women, DUH princess
— Monica Jasuja (@jasuja) August 18, 2016
De had previously courted controversy by tweeting, “Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity.”
That brought a torrent of criticism on Shobhaa from sportspersons including 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and others.