Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has issued a clarification after seeing his ‘casteist’ remark on India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal trigger a huge controversy. In his statement issued on Friday, Yuvraj expressed regret and said that he ‘never believed in any kind of disparity’.
“This is to clarify that I have never believed in any kind of disparity, be it on the basis of caste, colour, creed or gender. I have given and continue to spend my life for the welfare of people. I believe in the dignity of life and respect each individual without exception.”
“I understand that while I was having a conversation with my friends, I was misunderstood, which was unwarranted. However, as a responsible Indian I want to say that if I have unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments or feelings, I would like to express regret for the same.”
“My love for India and all its people is eternal,” Yuvraj wrote in his statement.
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 5, 2020
In an Instagram Live session with Team India opener Rohit, Yuvraj had mocked Chahal for his TikTok videos saying: “Yeh b***gi log ko kaam nahi hai yeh Yuzi aur isko (Kuldeep).”
“Yuzi ko dekha kya video daala hai apni family ke saath. Maine usko wahi bola ki apne baap ko nacha raha hai, pagal toh nahi hai tu,” Rohit had said in reply.
Soon hashtag ‘Yuvraj Singh mafi mango’ started to trend on social media. Though Yuvraj was only joking about Chahal during the conversation, netizens took offence to his usage of words.
An FIR was subsequently lodged against the former India all-rounder as several fans criticised the two-times World Cup winner for his remarks. A written complaint was also handed over to Hisar police to arrest Yuvraj for his ‘casteist’ remark.
“I request you to press appropriate charges against Yuvraj Singh and arrest him,” the complaint had read.
Seeing the entire controversy refusing to die down, Yuvraj has finally issued an apology while clarifying that the term was used in a friendly manner.
