India’s veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh has hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 on its second Lunar Mission on Monday (July 22). Overall, his latest tweet had witnessed a mixed response on social media.
The debate on social media had witnessed referring Harbhajan’s tweet as utter ‘bigotry’ whereas some have thrown defended the Punjab-based star for his tweet.
The 39-year-old off-spinner Harbhajan has lauded ISRO for its mission to the moon.
In his tweet, Harbhajan had maintained that some countries have the moon on their flags, whereas, some have their flags on the moon.
Besides, Harbhajan had listed as many as nine countries in the first line by maintaining that these countries have moons embossed on their flags. It includes Pakistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Libya, Tunisia, Mauritania, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Algeria.
Harbhajan Singh also drew flak for his latest tweet:
The ‘Turbanator’ also added that the United States of America (USA), India, Russia and China had their successful campaign on the moon.
In one of the responses, activist Kavita Krishnan had deemed Harbhajan’s tweet as a ‘bigoted story’. She had also posted a Nepal flag by adding it subsequently bears crescent moon.
Kavita stressed that Harbhajan should learn from Sri Lankan cricketers.
“May I disturb this bigoted story of yours with some reality? This is the Nepal flag, also with the crescent moon on it. Literally ‘flagging’ all ‘Muslim’ countries, is the essence of Islamophobic baiting & profiling. Wish you should learn from Sri Lankan cricketers & rise above this,” Kavita tweeted.
Also, Shehla Rashid, who is the General Secretary for newly-formed Jammu and Kashmir’s People’s Movement (JKPM), had retweeted a comment. The JKPM political party came into being in March 2019.
Also, Shehla had retweeted comments which had questioned Harbhajan.
However, it is not new; the same tweet has been doing rounds on the internet in the past.
Since 1998, Harbhajan had featured in 236 ODIs, 103 Tests and 28 T20Is.
Here’s how they had responded over Harbhajan Singh’s tweet over Chandrayaan-2’s Success:
Some countries have moon on their flags
??????????????????While some countries having their flags on moon
?? ?? ?? ??#Chandrayaan2theMoon— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 22, 2019
May I disturb this bigoted story of yours with some reality? This is the Nepal flag, also with the crescent moon on it. Literally 'flagging' all 'Muslim' countries, is the essence of Islamophobic baiting & profiling. Wish you cd learn from Sri Lankan cricketers & rise above this. pic.twitter.com/HMPkexOE2V
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/krishna_k82/status/1153561857422217216
What a shame, open bigotry. Reaching moon is not the best indicator for development. Some countries with moon on their flags are much ahead on HDI than others who have flags on moon.
During a proud national moment, you must add a communal angle, no? Pathetic— Jaini /উজ্জয়িনী/ اجینی (@IchbinUjjaini) July 23, 2019
Harbhajan Singh just needs to stick to cricket and nothing else. #DumbFuck
— ????? ?????? (@AneesHackim) July 23, 2019
Madam ji- Aap ko bigotry kahan nazar aa gayi ?
just saw your profile and got my answer. you are a communist. Enemy of humanity.— Col Ajit Singh Bhinder-?? (@ajitbhinder) July 23, 2019
I think this statement of @harbhajan_singh shows the sheer deprivation in his thoughts and a rising bigot.
— Shahana Munazir (@MunazirS) July 23, 2019
Tell me who designed India's flag ? When you talk about other country flag ? @abs261
— Tenali Rama (@RamShanbhoge) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/ZoraizAftab2/status/1153287164131717121
https://twitter.com/ZoraizAftab2/status/1153287164131717121
New India. Where we celebrate our achievements by mocking others. What a shame. How easily Indians can spoil a happy cheerful mood in a second!!
— E.D (@UnityZstrength) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/acjoshi/status/1153333489724297216
Was this supposed to be funny? https://t.co/ZoAe12KPQz
— Umar (@thelastremnant_) July 23, 2019
Hmmm I wonder what all these countries have in common? Makes you think what the real message is here…think it starts with 'b' and ends in 'igotry'? https://t.co/wEKJ4kBsyy
— Mudassir (@mudassir_05) July 23, 2019
In conclusion, it is a remarkable achievement for India in space.