Despite Kamran Akmal’s swift apology for his derogatory remarks directed at the Sikh community, specifically targeting Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York on Sunday, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh castigated the former Pakistani wicketkeeper. Harbhajan admonished Akmal, asserting that he should refrain from offending religious sentiments in the future and must refrain from deriding anyone’s faith.
Akmal was part of a discussion panel during the Indian vs Pakistan encounter. The former wicketkeeper-batter took a dig at the Arshdeep, saying, “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… Dekhe last over karna Arshdeep Singh ne hai. Waise uska rhythm nahi laga. 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. The last over will be bowled by Arshdeep Singh; he hasn’t looked in a great rhythm. And it is already 12.”
Akmal’s comments sparked a massive uproar on social media, and Harbhajan himself took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Pak cricketer, tweeting, “You should know the history of Sikhs before you open your filthy mouth.”
Shortly thereafter, Akmal issued an apology on Tuesday. However, Harbhajan, in a subsequent video released on Wednesday, criticized Akmal’s statement as illogical and described it as a behavior characteristic of immaturity, which only an irresponsible individual would engage in.
“This is a very absurd statement and a very childish act that only a ‘Nalaayak’ person can do. Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone’s religion and make fun of it,” said Harbhajan in a video posted by ANI.
#WATCH | Brooklyn, New York: On former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal’s comment over the Sikh community, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh says “This is a very absurd statement and a very childish act that only a ‘Nalaayak’ person can do. Kamran Akmal should understand… pic.twitter.com/SyCKW59fgf
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024
The 44-year-old admonished Akmal, asking him whether he knows the history of Sikhs. “Kamran Akmal should understand that there is no need to say anything about anyone’s religion and make fun of it. I would like to ask Kamran Akmal that do you know the history of Sikhs, who are Sikhs and all the work that Sikhs have done to save your community, your mothers, and sisters. Ask this from your ancestors; at 12 o’clock, the Sikhs used to attack Mughals and rescue your mothers and sisters, so stop talking nonsense,” said Harbhajan, who is currently in the USA as a commentator for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Despite acknowledging Akmal’s apology, Harbhajan cautioned the former cricketer to abstain from uttering similar remarks in the future.
“It is good that he understood so quickly and apologized, but he should never again try to hurt any Sikh or any religion. We respect all religions, whether it is Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism or Christianity…,” added Harbhajan.