Days after the daughter of a Kargil martyr, Gurmehar Kaur came out to speak against ABVP in the wake of the violence at Ramjas college of Delhi University, a number of people have come out to join the campaign she kick started. However, ace cricketer Virender Sehwag known for hilarious tweets came out to an unusual response. Soon after the cricketer posted his response, Bollywood actor retweeted him in agreement claiming to appreciate his wit.
Randeep Hooda’s approval to Virender Sehwag’s post did not go down well with journalist Shekhar Gupta who lashed out at Randeep Hooda saying that this kind of response was not expected from “big-hearted stars”.
Here’s how it started:
Soon after Gurmehar Kaur’s post against ABVP which read as, “I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP” went viral, Virender Sehwag posted this tweet with this photo:
Bat me hai Dum !#BharatJaisiJagahNahi pic.twitter.com/BNaO1LBHLH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 26, 2017
Randeep Hooda responded in agreement:
______ @virendersehwag ____ https://t.co/IcxuewcPMP
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) February 26, 2017
Expressing dismay over the reactions, Shekhar Gupta slammed both Randeep Hooda and Virender Sehwag saying:
Sad, from you, Viru & Randeep, big-hearted stars. Nobody’s patriotism needs certificates & hers has stamp of her father’s supreme sacrifice https://t.co/6UAc98i2tH
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 26, 2017
Randeep Hooda was quick to respond saying that Gurmehar was only being used a “pawn” for political mileage.
@ShekharGupta @virendersehwag what’s sad is that the poor girl is being used as political pawn and it seems you are a party to it ..
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) February 26, 2017
However, Shekar Gupta wasted no time to reply saying that Gurmehar was no “pawn” but a “strong”, “thinking” adult who has an opinion.
You’re welcome to call me what u want. She’s no “poor girl” or “pawn.” She’s a strong, thinking adult who speaks her mind, handle patriarchy https://t.co/cKhgAumFcf
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 26, 2017
Watching the sequence of events unfold, Gurmehar herself stepped in and cleared the air saying that she was no pawn and was against all kinds of violence. To which, the actor responded that even he agreed with her opinion on violence, her post could be interpreted in many other ways.
Shekhar Gupta seconded Gurmehar saying the post could spark debate but did not deserve “mocking”.
This has gone utterly OTT. Patriotism can have many definitions & layers. Needs robust disagreement & debate, not mocking. My limited point https://t.co/b3AH36d8Ga
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 26, 2017
Randeep Hooda came out to defend his stand saying that he was only lauding Viru’s wit and unique take.
@ShekharGupta @virendersehwag 3)it was just very witty of Viru to come with “Bat mein Dum”.Cant u see the irony? Defuse the situation nt add
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) February 26, 2017
I humbly submit that I admire Viru’s wit but must question if it trivialises a serious argument. No, I don’t see any irony here, I’m afraid https://t.co/xpxqFWILOG
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 26, 2017
Barkha Dutt also came out to slam Randeep Hooda for calling Gurmehar a “pawn” only because she was a girl kept her opinion forth. To which, Hooda responded saying that his post wasn’t meant to be sexist and would have applied to a boy as well.
In a bid to put an end to the argument, Randeep Hooda said that “violence was wrong” but affirmed that the girl’s thoughts should not be politicised.
@BDUTT @mehartweets @virendersehwag let’s take a chill pill.Violence is wrong,peace must prevail & not politicise the young girl’s thoughts
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) February 26, 2017
