Hours after video showing Gujarati cricket fans using Jai Shri Ram chants to mock Pakistani cricketer, Muhammad Rizwan, went viral, south Indian fans have the hashtag #Sorry_Pakistan on Twitter. This was widely viewed as an admirable effort to salvage India’s reputation, which was severely damaged by supporters of Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad. This came soon after Jasprit Bumrah thanked former Pakistani skipper Waqar Younis for praising the former’s bowling.
In a viral video, a group of seemingly Modi supporters were seen mocking Rizwan by chanting Jai Shri Ram as the Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter made his way to the dressing room after being dismissed in the crucial India-Pakistan tie on Saturday.
Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah reacts to comments made by Waqar Younis in commentary box
The video evoked angry reactions from sane members of India’s civil society as they accused the Modi supporters of hurting India’s image on a global stage.
From being used as a war cry to lynch Muslims, Jai shri Ram chants are now being used to mock players from rival team. Great going! These Sanghis are desperate to defame their own religion. What a shame! https://t.co/8tW0SdzluG
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) October 15, 2023
I too chant Jai Shri Ram & pray Jai Shri Ram ! But that’s either when I pray at home or when I goto temple or during any such events!
But not out of bigotry to intimidate or attack someone!
— Vijay Thottathil (@vijaythottathil) October 15, 2023
The shouts of “Jai Shri Ram” at yesterday’s India-Pak match were no innocent display of religiosity. It’s a barely coded Hindu nationalist war cry at this point, associated with anti-Muslim riots and lynchings. Tragic that the Indian team has become a weapon of Modi’s Hindutva
— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) October 15, 2023
These idiots bring such glory to our country! https://t.co/gojji80tGw
— Sayema (@_sayema) October 14, 2023
Hours later, netizens from south India trended hashtag #Sorry_Pakistan to highlight that Gujaratis didn’t represent India and the country was far more tolerant than Modi supporters would have everyone believe.
#Sorry_Pakistan and rizwan
Come to Chennai or any South Indian grounds you will get much love and support❤️. Bcoz here we will see sports as sport and never we will bring religion into these like what uneducated fools did. #CWC2023 #ViratKohli𓃵 #IndiavsPak #INDvsPAK #Chennai— Badass maa (@sundharam12) October 15, 2023
@TheRealPCB #Sorry_Pakistan welcome to Chennai see loves from South Indian cricket fans.
— பாலா தளபதி (@balajibaji93) October 15, 2023
I am a proud Indian but #Sorry_Pakistan
— Karthik ❤️⚡🇮🇳 (@ItsTamilian) October 15, 2023
#Sorry_Pakistan we loves you, we loves cricket, we loves people, yes we loves harmony only
Tamil Cricket Fans always supports Good Cricket – Thala @msdhoni ❤️
Yes, Chennai welcomes you. @ICC @cricketworldcup don’t have shame on you— வெண்பனிதேச விஞ்ஞானி (@CheMystery_Raj) October 15, 2023
India defeated Pakistan convincingly but the match was marred by ugly behaviour of Gujarati fans inside the stadium.