 "Virender Sehwag in eye of Twitter storm after appearing to troll daughter of soldier killed in Kargil")
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, who was known for his explosive batting during his playing days, has earned fame for a different reason since retiring. The batsman has become an internet sensation with his tweets on the micro-blogging website. From witty birthday wishes to his banter with Piers Morgan, the ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ uses the social medium quite extensively for posting his views on a variety of topics. However, one of his latest tweets has drawn bouquets and brickbats in equal measure. On Sunday night, Sehwag shared a picture on Twitter holding a placard that read, “I didn’t score two triple centuries, my bat did”, along with the message, “Bat me hai Dum! #BharatJaisiJagahNahi”.
Bat me hai Dum !#BharatJaisiJagahNahi pic.twitter.com/BNaO1LBHLH
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 26, 2017
Bizarrely, Sehwag’s tweet appears to be a response to a year-old campaign on social media by a Delhi University student about peace with Pakistan. The student, Gurmehar Kaur, is the daughter of late Captain Mandeep Singh who died during the Kargil War. Kaur made headlines recently after the violence on the Ramjas College campus when students and teachers clashed with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members. In response to the incident, Kaur, had launched another social media campaign against the ABVP called #StudentsAgainstABVP. She changed her Facebook profile picture to one with her holding a placard that says, “I am a student of Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #fightbackdu #studentsagainstabvp”. Her Facebook post went viral, with several other students following in her footsteps. “This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear. If you are a student in any Indian university, in any Indian state and you wish to protest against ABVP, then take a similar selfie and make it your profile picture. Use the hashtag #StudentsAgainstABVP and copy paste this message along with it.”
However, it was the 20-year-old’s year-old social media campaign, advocating peace with Pakistan, which Sehwag seems to have responded to. In it, Kaur had posted a video with her holding a placard which read: “Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him”. But as plenty of people pointed out, this placard was just one of a series of a long message of peace that Kaur was rooting for.
Not surprising that "nationalists" mock @mehartweets for one pic out of an entire series. Their vision as always is limited by their hate. pic.twitter.com/SCzRL76Jf7
— SamSays (@samjawed65) February 26, 2017
You can watch the entire video below:
Kaur had clarified on Saturday that she supports freedom of speech but not anti-national slogans. Kaur tweeted: “Am I fighting for people who support anti-nationals? NO! Who are fighting for? STUDENTS And our right to free speech, safe academic space.”
Am I fighting for people who support anti nationals? NO! Who are fighting for? STUDENTS And out right to free speech, safe academic space.
— Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 25, 2017
“Free of hate. Free to speak. Free to hold opinions. Free to learn. This is my nation. #studentsagainstabvp,” she said. “Nationalism isn’t defined by whoever is in power. Nationalism is a feeling that comes from within. It’s love for the nation. It’s love for its people and it’s people include young students,” she tweeted. Criticising the reactions that she is receiving over social media, Kaur in another tweet wrote: “Absolutely disgusted at the reactions I’m receiving from so called ’nationalists’.” One such tweet is from Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, who showed his support for Sehwag through a retweet. Both Sehwag and Hooda received plenty of flak as well as praise for their tweets.
👏👏👏👏👏👏 @virendersehwag 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/IcxuewcPMP
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) February 26, 2017
political pawn? I can think. I don't support violence perpetuated on students? Is that so wrong.
— Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) February 26, 2017
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by having a team tht thinks this is funny and then showcasing it , the jokes on u mister , pick on sum1 ur own age and size
— Salilacharya (@Salilacharya) February 26, 2017
Perhaps Sehwag should stick to trolling Morgan and former cricketers on their birthdays, rather than sly tweeting a 20-year-old for her political views. (With inputs from agencies)
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