A police complaint has been filed against former cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Gurkeerat Mann, accusing them of making fun of people with disabilities in a video shared on Instagram.
Arman Ali, the executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), filed the complaint with the SHO of Amar Colony police station.
The complaint also targets Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India, as well as Instagram, owned by Meta, accusing the platform of violating the Information Technology Act, 2000, by allowing the video to be shared.
A police officer stated that the complaint lodged at Amar Colony police station will be forwarded to the district’s cyber cell for further investigation.
The complaint was filed after former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Gurkeerat Mann shared a video on Instagram celebrating India Champions’ five-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends final.
In the video, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, and Raina are seen limping and holding their backs, mimicking the physical strain from the matches. The caption read: “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.”
Disability activists have criticized the Instagram video shared by former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina, describing it as “totally disgraceful.” The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled voiced their disapproval of the video.
The complaint against the video asserts that Instagram did not follow its user guidelines, thereby allowing the spread of derogatory content.
“This video blatantly violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees every person the right to live with dignity,” Ali stated.
He also noted that the video breaches Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and contravenes the Supreme Court’s guidelines from the case of Nipun Malhotra v. Sony Pictures Films India Private Limited (2004 SCC Online SC 1639).
Ali has urged authorities to take immediate and appropriate action against former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and Gurkeerat Mann for their Instagram video, which allegedly mocks people with disabilities. a
After filing the complaint, Ali stated that a simple apology from the cricketers would not suffice. “They must be penalized for their actions,” he insisted.
