News Tamil Nadu

Jai Sri Ram Chants And Make My Trip’s Troll Triggers Meltdown For Puthiya Thalaimurai Over India-Pakistan World Cup Match

October 16, 2023
The Commune

Saturday, 14 October 2023, saw yet another India vs Pakistan World Cup match where India decimated Pakistan like always. Most Indians were jubilant with what happened at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad while many liberals and Dravidian stockists seemed to have had a meltdown during and after the game. Puthiya Thalaimurai finds itself among those who had a tumultuous experience.

Events During The Match

During this encounter, a few noteworthy moments stood out. The stadium’s DJ decided to play the song “Jai Shri Ram” from the film Adipurush, and to the astonishment of many, the entire crowd joined in singing along. Also, when Pakistan’s Mohammed Rizwan lost his wicket and made his way back to the pavilion, he was greeted with chants of “Jai Shri Ram.”

Notably, the travel aggregator Make My Trip took a lighthearted jab at Pakistani fans, offering substantial discounts in the event of Pakistan’s loss. 

Puthiya Thalaimurai’s Response

Puthiya Thalaimurai’s web desk, on 15 October 2023, published an article on their website, which seemed more like an opinion piece, wherein the author, Viyan, voiced his disapproval of the events that transpired during the match.

Critique Of The MakeMyTrip Advert

The Puthiya Thalaimurai writer took issue with the Make My Trip advertisement, labeling it as irresponsible. The writer wrote that a nation that traditionally adheres to the principle of “Athithi Devo Bhava” (Treating Guests as God) seemed to have made itself a “laughing stock” through its “supposed” treatment of visiting cricketers and cricket fans during the World Cup. The author also noted that the infamous “Mauka Mauka” advertisements, which aired during previous World Cups, were criticised for making jest of the Pakistani team. However, the writer seemed to overlook the satirical nature of these ads, as they were meant to be taken in a lighthearted spirit.

The article also didn’t address the fact that the Pakistanis, too, had aired a commercial mocking Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive in Pakistan after his aircraft crashed on their territory in 2019. At the time, no such criticism was raised by the same channel; they merely reported the matter.

Allegations Of Politicising The Game

The Puthiya Thalaimurai writer went on to allege that the game, which should be enjoyed for the sport that it is, had been unduly politicized. They pointed fingers at the BJP for exploiting the Indian cricket team’s success for political gain and decried them for supposedly becoming the face of Islamophobia. However, the author failed to acknowledge that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) operates as a private autonomous institution, distinct from the central government’s authority, with minimal government regulation.

Moreover, the article seemed to overlook the significance of the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief’s reference to India as “Dushman Mulk” (Enemy State) during a press conference, suggesting that it’s the spectators who are imposing a political narrative onto the game, not the other way around. 

It is understandable because most Tamilians never learnt Hindi during their school days and hence they would not have comprehended what the PCB Chief had said. 

Jai Shri Ram Song Sung Like National Anthem

Well, the Puthiya Thalaimurai writer alleges that “Jai Shri Ram” was sung like a national anthem. For a country with a majority Hindu population and with the Ayodhya Bhavya Mandir going to be officially opened to the public in January 2024, Jai Shri Ram is a natural chant, and the fact that the DJ had in fact played a popular song from the film Adipurush also makes it plausible. 

However, the writer appeared to overlook the fact that the audience had similarly joined in singing when the DJ played AR Rahman’s version of “Vande Mataram.” The writer forgot to answer whether singing this popular version of “Vande Mataram” would be scrutinised at the same level as singing Jai Shri Ram. 

Mohammed Rizwan

Videos circulated on various social media platforms depicting the audience’s response to Rizwan’s dismissal, which included chants of “Jai Shri Ram.” The writer criticised this, insinuating that Rizwan was unfairly subjected to what they perceived as a form of “harassment”. 

Prominent Dravidian stockists and liberals voiced their concerns about this purported “hounding” of Rizwan, with DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin condemning it. 

The author went on to claim that the Indian audience’s behavior marked a loss of humanity and “sixth sense.”

The writer seems to have overlooked the fact that Rizwan, in a previous match against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, had performed namaz (Islamic prayer) on the ground and dedicated his team’s win to the people of Gaza. 

 

Here in this video, former Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis “appreciates” how special the act of Rizwan doing namaz amidst Hindus in India.

During the recent match, the Indian spectators simply chanted the name of Lord Ram and refrained from using any threatening language. So one wonders what the problem is. 

A gentle reminder to the writer for the treatment meted out to the Indian cricket team by Pakistani fans when they lost the Champions Trophy. 

The writer also alleged that the audience coerced YouTuber Speed into saying “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” However, the writer seems to be unaware completely of the instances involving Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, a former Indian cricketer, and Pakistan’s former team member Danish Kaneria. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, in response to a post by Rajdeep Sardesai, recounted his experiences as a 16-year-old playing in Pakistan, where he faced abuse due to his skin colour, Hindu faith, and Indian nationality. 

Danish Kaneria, the former Pakistani spin wizard, also recounted how he was treated during his cricketing days by his team members, including being made to sit separately during lunches.

Netizen Reactions

Here is a collection of netizen reactions who thoroughly enjoyed the turn of events at Ahmedabad on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In toto, the article by Viyan while trying to be polemic, falls short and sounds more like a venting of “thoughts”. 

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