Cricketer turned BJP leader Gautam Gambhir condemned the attack on a Muslim man in Gurugram where he was forced take off his skull cap and chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
The tweet did not bode well with his followers or other BJP leaders. "Nobody likes such incidents but what is the use of commenting on an incident in Haryana which may be used against the BJP by other parties," said a senior Delhi BJP leader according to PTI.
Actor Anupam Kher advised him not to “get into a trap of getting popular with a section of media.”
The tweets from his supporters showed disappointment. “Either speak on every incident or stay quiet,” one Twitter user said.
Many journalists, writers and Twitter users were of the opinion that this is what happens when one is in the BJP and speaks up against violence on Muslims.
Actor Siddharth responded to tweets that called Gambhir a “darling of pseudo-secularists and anti-Hindu lobby.”
He said, “This is what happens when you show a spine or a heart in New India. All the best!”
‘Kher Is Upset Gambhir Talked About Tolerance’
Journalist Rana Ayyub replied to Anupam Kher’s advice to Gambhir and said, “Anupam Kher is upset with Gautam Gambhir for talking about tolerance and condemning the Gurgaon hate crime.”
Journalist Rifat Jawaid also lamented Anupam Kher’s advice. “Never knew he has so much hate filled inside him that he has a problem even in Gautam Gambhir’s condemnation of violence against a Muslim man,” he tweeted.
Warning has been issued, said another Twitter user, who added that Anupam Kher’s friendly advice in fact means that Gautam Gambhir cannot speak against party’s agenda.
‘This Is What You Represent Now’
“Bhakts were okay when Modiji was talking about secularism but went mad when Gautam Gambhir did the same,” said one Twitter user.
“Get a sense of what mentality you now represent,” said another Twitter user.
There were jokes too, about BJP planning a crash course for Gautam Gambhir. “In a few days, he should master lessons in whataboutery, drawing false equivalence, photoshop and spreading fake news,” one Twitter user said.
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