“You’ll Be Thrown Out…”: BJP Leader, Former Pakistani Cricketer, And Journalist Spar On X

A heated exchange between an Indian journalist and former Pakistani cricketer on the social media platform X took an unexpected turn when BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia waded into the conversation, expressing solidarity with the journalist as a “fellow Indian.”

The incident began when journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani voiced her concerns about the “deplorable behavior” of certain Indian cricket fans during World Cup matches. She lamented the “petty, insecure, and majoritarian approach” displayed by these fans and how it contrasted with the unifying spirit that sports, including cricket, should promote.

In response to Sherwani’s post, former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria suggested that she visit Pakistan if she felt ashamed to be an Indian, stating that India did not need individuals like her and that there might be many in India willing to sponsor her trip.

Mr Danish Kaneria it would be nice if you could put your house in order first.
Arfa criticized our country, wrongly so, but our relationship is not defined by the religion we profess but by the country we love, our Bharat.
Even when there is very little in common with her, I… https://t.co/44AzQa9YPI

— Gaurav Bhatia गौरव भाटिया 🇮🇳 (@gauravbhatiabjp) October 23, 2023

This exchange quickly garnered attention and divided opinion on the internet. It was during this online debate that BJP’s Gaurav Bhatia stepped in to support Arfa Khanum Sherwani. Bhatia emphasized their common identity as Indians and urged Danish Kaneria not to “ever dare to trouble a fellow Indian.” He also pointed out that their relationship was defined by their shared love for India, rather than the religions they practiced. Bhatia’s message emphasized the importance of the bond of love for the country being stronger than the bond of religion.

While Gaurav Bhatia’s intervention aimed to show solidarity with the journalist, it did not sit well with some social media users who criticized him for opposing the former Pakistani cricketer, who appeared to be supporting India in this context. The incident highlighted the complexity of online discussions involving nationalism, sports, and the intersection of national and religious identities.