Veteran Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh was trending on social media on Monday for all the wrong reasons after his ‘tribute’ post for Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Harbhajan was slammed by many on social media for ‘glorifying’ Bhindranwale, who was killed inside the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star in 1984.
June 6 (Sunday) marked the 37th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. Harbhajan took to his Instagram story and had shared a poster featuring Bhindranwale, calling him a ‘martyr’. The post which was in Punjabi read – “Heartfelt tribute to those martyred in Operation inside Shri Harmandir Sahib on June 1- June 6, 1984”.
Here is Harbhajan Singh’s controversial post:
Harbhajan has now issued a clarification and apologised on Twitter with a long heartfelt note where he has made it clear he doesn’t support anything that is anti-India or against his countrymen. Harbhajan said he had received the poster featuring Bhindranwale on WhatsApp and posted it in haste without verifying the content on it.
“I just wish to clarify and apologise for an Instagram post yesterday. It was a WhatsApp forward that I posted in haste without even realising the content used and what it signified or stood for. That was my mistake I accept, and no stage do I subscribe to the views on that post or support the people who’s pictures were carried. I am a Sikh who will fight for India and not against India. This is my unconditional apology for hurting the sentiments of my nation in fact any anti-national group against my people I do not support and never will,” Harbhajan wrote.
“I have given my blood and sweat for this country for 20 years and will never ever support anything that is anti-India,” he added.
Harbhajan faced a lot of flak over his post for the Khalistani terrorist but has now clarified his stance. The veteran spinner was last seen in action for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the now-suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Harbhajan was bought by KKR at his base price of Rs 2 crore and played three matches for his side without managing to take a wicket.
Harbhajan will return to action when phase two of the IPL 2021 season resumes in the UAE in September this year. IPL 2021 is likely to resume from September 19 with the final scheduled on October 15.
