New Delhi:
Hardik Pandya landed himself in hot water by his comments on the show Koffee With Karan hosted by popular film director Karan Johar. His remarks were slammed as ‘misogynistic’, ‘racist’ by many Twitter users and the Board of Control for Cricket in India also jumped him, issuing a showcause notice to the all-rounder along with KL Rahul, the other cricketer present on the show. Pandya had taken to Twitter to apologise for his remarks and apparently, he has also expressed ‘regret’ over the comments when he responded to the showcause notice. The all-rounder has said the mistake will not be repeated in the future.
In a report on PTI, Pandya was not part of the optional practice session at the Sydney Cricket Ground and has apparently spoken to Ravi Shastri and other senior members of the Indian cricket team. “I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realising that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful. I would like to assure you that there was no malice or any sort of ill-intent on my part to offend anyone or portray any section of the society in bad light. I made these statements in the flow of the show and had not comprehended the extent to which my statements would be found offensive,” Pandya responded to the query which is in possession with PTI.
Read More | Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul issued showcause notice by BCCI
According to a source close to the player, Pandya was "drawn into making those comments as the show producers coaxed a carefree attitude" from him and Rahul.
Read More | Hardik Pandya issues apology for ‘misogynistic’, ‘racist’ comments
Big controversy
Pandya took to his Twitter handle and issued the apology after his comments raised a massive controversy on social media, with several users labeling it ‘misogynistic’ and ‘racial’. The apology is related to a particular part where he passed some distasteful comments on women and his sexual activities on television.
The situation came into light with this one conversation when Johar was asking questions about not asking women’s name in a night club and what do men talk about. To this, Pandya replied, “I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move." Pandya also boasted about how he casually discussed his sex life with his parents. “When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Main karke aya hai aaj (I had sex today)'. At a party my parents asked me 'acha tera wala (women) kaun sa hai [who is your interest here?] so I said yeh, yeh, yeh (pointing out women)' and they were like 'waah proud of you beta',” Pandya replied with laughter.
During the time when the #MeToo movement is active and sexual harassment is a serious issue which needs to be tackled in all fields, the comments from Pandya did not go down well with Twitter users labeling his comments ‘gross’ and a ‘big disappointment’. In his apology, Pandya has admitted that he got ‘carried away’.
While Pandya’s comments have drawn plenty of flak, it must be observed that Rahul, who was the other guest in the program, responded with straight answers and showed his dignity. When asked about a situation if both like the same woman , Rahul responded, “It is upto the woman.” Pandya, in turn, responded, “Nahi nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, talent pe hota hai. Jisko mila woh leke jao (No, no, it is nothing like that. It is all on talent. Whoever gets it, take her away). It is on talent."
