A file photo of former India cricketers Harbhajan Singh (left), Suresh Raina and with Yuvraj Singh during a match in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has lodged a police complaint against some former Team India cricketers for “insulting and mocking” the differently abled people in a video uploaded on social media platforms.

Also read: Stereotyping differently-abled persons in films, visual media perpetuate discrimination, says Supreme Court

The cricketers named in the complaint at Amar Colony police station in New Delhi. They are Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Gurkeerat Mann.

The “celebrated cricketers” released a video on Instagram “where they can be seen intentionally insulting, mimicking and making fun of persons with disabilities”, the complaint by the NCPEDP’s executive director, Arman Ali said.

The video was uploaded from Harbhajan Singh’s Instagram handle (@harbhajan3) on July 14 showed the cricketers “walking and limping in a manner which is offensive to persons with disabilities”, it read.

“This entire act has been done in disguise of casual entertainment. We also want to register this complaint against Sandhya Devanathan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India as the platform is also in violation of the Information Technology Act of 2000 by allowing such content to be posted on their platform Instagram which violating user guidelines,” the complaint read.

“The video is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India which allows every person to have a right to life with dignity and also violates Section 92 of the Rights of Person with Disabilities Act, 2016,” Mr. Ali wrote, seeking necessary and appropriate action against “these anti-social elements”.

Former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina shared a video on Instagram after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the World Championship of Legends final.
| Photo Credit: Instagram/@harbhajan3

A police complaint has been filed against former cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and Gurkeerat Mann for allegedly mocking people with disabilities in a video that was uploaded on Instagram.

The complaint was lodged by Arman Ali, the executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), with the SHO of the Amar Colony police station in Delhi.

Besides the cricketers, the complaint has also been filed against Sandhya Devanathan, the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India.

In the complaint, social media platform Instagram, which is owned by Meta, has been accused of violating the Information Technology Act, 2000, by allowing such content to be posted.

A police officer said the complaint was received at the Amar Colony police station and it will be shared with the cyber cell of the district for further probe into the matter.

The former cricketers shared the video on Instagram after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the World Championship of Legends final.

In the video, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Raina are seen limping and holding their backs to show the physical toll taken by the matches on their bodies.

“Body ki Tauba Tauba ho Gayi in 15 days legends cricket… Every part of the body is sore. Straight competition to our brothers @vickykaushal09 @karanaujla our version of Tauba Tauba dance. What a SONG,” the caption of the video read.

Disability activists have found the video to be in poor taste. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled called the video “totally disgraceful”.

The complaint stated that Instagram failed to adhere to its user guidelines, thus enabling the dissemination of derogatory content.

“This video is a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees every person the right to life with dignity.

“It also breaches Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and contravenes the Supreme Court’s guidelines established in the case of Nipun Malhotra v. Sony Pictures Films India Private Limited (2004 SCC Online SC 1639),” Arman Ali said in the complaint.

He urged the authorities to take immediate and appropriate action against the individuals involved and emphasised the need to hold public figures accountable for their actions, especially when they undermine the dignity of vulnerable communities.

Speaking to PTI after lodging the complaint, Mr. Ali said a simple apology from these cricketers would not do. “They must be penalised for their actions,” he said.

Former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina shared a video on Instagram after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the World Championship of Legends final.
| Photo Credit: Instagram/@harbhajan3

Disability rights groups have criticised former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina for “mocking” people with disabilities in a video in which they are seen trying to recreate actor Vicky Kaushal’s viral dance step from the song Tauba Tauba.

The former cricketers shared the video on Instagram after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the World Championship of Legends final.

In the video, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Raina are seen limping and holding their backs to show the physical toll taken by the matches on their bodies.

“Body ki Tauba Tauba ho Gayi in 15 days legends cricket.. Every part of the body is sore. Straight competition to our brothers @vickykaushal09 @karanaujla our version of Tauba Tauba dance. What a SONG,” the caption of the video read.

Disability activists have found the video to be in poor taste.

The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled called the video “totally disgraceful”.

“No words are sufficient enough to condemn such behaviour specially when displayed by people considered national heroes. Such degrading actions only exposes their total insensitivity and boorishness,” the NPRD said in a post on X.

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People executive director Arman Ali urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take note of the video.

“Disgusting to see India’s top cricketers mocking disability. Shameful and atrocious behaviour from those who are idolised by masses. Shame on them. I urge BCCI to take immediate note of this,” he said.

Disability rights activist Satendra Singh said these cricketers are role models for a lot of Indians and Yuvraj Singh, who has battled cancer, should have been more empathetic.

“So many people are following them and they will follow these actions so there needs to be sensitivity. They have no remorse and are making fun of people with disabilities,” he told PTI.