Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday slammed trolls for doubting cricketer Mohammed Shami and writer Javed Akhtar’s patriotism because of their religion during the India vs Pakistan match in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
Taking to X, Aaditya wrote, “The worst of where our andh bhakts are taking our country to.”
“Doubting Shami and Javed Akhtar ji on their patriotism because of their religion. Both proud Indians, contributing actively to Indian glory through their own skill,” he added.
Shiv Sena (UBT) pointed out that BJP leader and former union minister Anurag Thakur was spotted watching the match with former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, who has been “outspokenly anti-Bharat.”
“But the same trolls are too afraid to speak on a BJP leader and former minister who sat with a cricketer who has been outspokenly anti-Bharat. The very same former minister whose party tells every other opposition member to ‘go to Pakistan’ and this minister screams ‘desh ke gaddaron ko’ on the streets,” he said.
Highlighting both incidents, he questioned, “Aaj desh ka gaddar kaun hai?”
Aaditya further said that if the politician was from any party other than the BJP, it would have resulted in FIRs, protests, being called anti-India, and being told to go to Pakistan.
Targeting BJP for its ‘divisive’ politics, he said, “Sadly, this is what the BJP’s philosophy is – create divisions within our own country, make us fight within our own country – divide Hindus and Muslims – so that BJP can win. But their bosses and boss’s families can chill, party with those from Pakistan, especially those who have been openly anti-India.”
Upping his attack on the BJP, he said “this is the same BJP-run BCCI that played cricket with Bangladesh (in an informal tournament by invitation) when the BJP’s social media ecosystem and media told us that Hindus in Bangladesh faced violence.”
“BJP now is: Elections done, Hindus forgotten, Patriotism forgotten. Or is it ‘time please’ for BJP from patriotism,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA said.
“When they teach you patriotism and Hindutva again, show them this photo of their leader enjoying the match with the anti-India cricketer and ask the BJP if they are ok with this? My Patriotism and Hindutva is clear: respect mine, I respect yours. But no compromise with hate – of any kind, from anyone,” he concluded his post with these remarks.
Along with the post, Aaditya shared several screenshots in which trolls targeted Javed Akhtar and Mohammed Shami over their religious beliefs. He also shared a picture of Anurag Thakur and Shahid Afridi and a screenshot of a news article about Shahid Afridi’s anti-India remarks.
