Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday extended his support to Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami after the latter faced unprecedented hate from Hindutva fanatics in the wake of India’s humiliating defeat to Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Gandhi took to Twitter to write, “Mohammad #Shami we are all with you. These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them.
Gandhi had also sided with another ex-India cricketer Wasim Jaffer earlier this year when Hindutva fanatics hounded him, forcing him to resign as the head coach of the Uttarakhand cricket team.
Earlier, several current and past Indian cricketers including Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal and Virender Sehwag had taken to social media to condemn the abuse hurled at Shami by Hindutva hatemongers.
Many Hindutva fanatics had targeted Shami after India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in their opening encounter in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Some had even accused Shami of accepting money from Pakistan due to his religious identity as a Muslim.