By. Priydarshi Prateek
A popular TV show, Koffee With Karan was on air and Guests, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul; were discussing various issues inter-alia their relationships, crushes, favourite movies, actors and actresses. In interview, while Rahul uttered less and remained careful while replying to Karan Johar’s questions, Hardik Pandya boasted about hooking up with multiple women and even spoke about how open he is with his parents.
In the era when Roasting was cheered up loudly, when revelation of 300 sexual encounters of Sanjay Dutt in the movie âSanjuâ was accepted withâAweâ; they could not have even imagined the massive storm in social milieu of their home land aftermath their interview.
Their sexist and racists comments were marked and considered as âmisogynisticâ. Explanation called by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on such “crass and cringeworthy” comments. Hardik Pandya even tendered an apology through Twitter. But BCCI was not satisfied with the apology and put the two cricketers under provisional suspension and asked them to return home from Australia.
The duo faced ire of legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar and master spinner Harbhajan Singh for their controversial remarks. At a press conference in Sydney, Skipper Kohli kept distance by making statement that we as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don’t align with those views.
Such action was bound to happen due to nature of comments made on public show. BCCI vide strictly adhering to Rule 41 of their Constitution sought explanation from them as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline. There is talk of conducting enquiry against erring cricketers.
But question is âEnquiry of what? What they said; or Why they said so; or Why they said so on Public platform?â It is not difficult to ascertain the Answer.
Public Hue and cry is upon âWhy they discussed such things on Public Platformâ. Comment of cricketer Harbhajan Singh is quite indicating of mind set of public on the issue who said that â…..The BCCI has taken the right decision. That’s the way forward too.
In this case, there was a lot of talk about sexism, racism and other ill-natured comments. You don’t tell these kinds of things on national television. We don’t even discuss these things with our friends”. Meaning thereby there is no hue and cry on âWhy they are thinking soâ âWhy misogynistic thinking pattern seeping in our boys, in our society?â
One could easily identify the peeping hypocrisy in public outrage on this Padya-Gate occurred at Koffee with Karan. Among all issues, âSpeaking Improper on Public Platform Being Part Indian Cricket Teamâ got centre stage while real issues were shown exit door as if discussing Misogyny and cause thereof is taboo in itself.
Lastly, it could be said that the punishment of provisional suspension, initiation of enquiry and societal wrath through various social media platforms are doing nothing but just cementing the tendency of keeping mum on such issues and remain âHypocritesâ.
