Indian cricket team takes a knee over black lives, beaten silence by Hindus in Bangladesh

Shortly before the T20 World Cup 2021 battle between the Indian and Pakistani teams began in Dubai on Sunday, the Indian cricket team took a knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Athletes around the world have knelt to support the anti-racism movement. The movement began after the death of African American George Floyd in the hands of police in Minneapolis, USA.

Sunday was the first time the Indian team made a gesture. The Pakistani team showed its support by keeping its right hand in its heart.

A day earlier it was done by England and the West Indies.

In Sunday’s match, the Pakistani team beat the Indian team by 10 throws. This was the first time India lost to the Pakistani team in either the ODI or T20 World Cup.

While anger is expected among Indian cricket fans, many are now questioning the “awakening” the team decided to surrender.

Many also throw the team at ignoring the recent atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and instead quote their voices on an issue that concerns India much less.

Social activist Sanjeev Newar asked why the team did not remember the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, “which took place much closer, much more recently and to your own family”.

Commentator-reporter Atul Mishra mocked the team, saying “of course the Hindus in Bangladesh are not the elites of the cricket elite.”

A Twitter user asked why the team remembered the death of a black man a year later, ignoring Bangladesh’s recent and ongoing attack on Hindus.

Many commented on team captain Virat Kohl’s recent tweet, which advertised a social media platform, and asked why he did not show solidarity with Hindus in Bangladesh.

“Black people matter, but Hindus in Bangladesh don’t!” Commented one user.

Another user said he does not oppose Black Lives Matter’s support language, but “adjacent” is a more urgent reason.