Amid the buzz surrounding Team India’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, a social media uproar emerged following an Instagram story shared by Ritika Sajdeh, wife of Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of India’s participation in the tournament, which includes the USA (United States of America) as one of the co-hosts alongside the West Indies.
A gesture of solidarity by Ritika Sajdeh
On Tuesday (May 28), Ritika took to Instagram to express her support for Palestine. Using a widely circulated template captioned “All Eyes on Rafah,” she joined the chorus of voices advocating for awareness about the situation in Palestine amidst ongoing tensions with Israel. The template gained traction across social media platforms as a symbolic display of solidarity.
Backlash from social media critics
However, the seemingly innocuous gesture soon became a lightning rod for criticism. A segment of social media users swiftly condemned Ritika, accusing her of engaging in selective activism. They questioned the inconsistency of her advocacy, highlighting her silence on issues closer to home, such as Hindu persecution in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The perceived prioritization of international issues over domestic concerns prompted a wave of backlash against the celebrity spouse.
Also READ: Rinku Singh opines on not earning skyrocketing money in the IPL; reveals Rohit Sharma’s message after T20 World Cup snub
Selective activism and hypocrisy claims
Fans argued that Ritika’s actions epitomized a trend of selective activism among celebrities, whereby they lend their voice to global causes while neglecting pressing issues within their own country. The perceived hypocrisy of championing foreign causes while overlooking domestic challenges fueled the intensity of the backlash. Social media platforms became inundated with posts condemning what many viewed as a misplaced sense of activism.
Deleting the controversial post
Faced with mounting criticism and scrutiny, Ritika swiftly retracted her Instagram story, deleting it within a mere couple of hours of its initial posting. The removal of the contentious post marked an abrupt end to a controversy that had rapidly spiraled out of control. Yet, the aftermath of the incident continued to reverberate across social media platforms, igniting debates about the responsibilities of public figures in navigating complex socio-political issues.
Ritika Sajdeh’s comment section (Image Source: Instagram)
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Ritika Sajdeh Sharma who is married to a Brahmin can never dare to speak against the community responsible for the departure of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley, never bats an eye upon the torture of minorities in Pak and Bangladesh but has all the time in the world for 🍉agenda pic.twitter.com/QgCdv1Z7s6
— Ritik (@ThenNowForeve) May 28, 2024
She wouldn’t even know where Rafah is or what the complexities there are, but this hypocrite is trying to stay in the limelight.
Clearly, Anushka>>> Ritika pic.twitter.com/VFGVj5PsNK
— Moana (@ladynationalist) May 28, 2024
Meanwhile Virat Kohli’s wife liked a post related to chanting Hanuman chalisa & positivity it brings to new born baby
Anushka Sharma has came a long way. I personally used to be her critic but now a silent fan https://t.co/oTDnPwE0SU pic.twitter.com/dCqz4Iiou7
— Hindutva Knight (@HPhobiaWatch) May 28, 2024
husband eats beef
wife supports Palestine
couple made for each other🤡 pic.twitter.com/hu2bIaJhav
— Moana (@ladynationalist) May 28, 2024
Rohit after seeing public reaction towards Ritika’s insta story pic.twitter.com/wF1Igw4Hmq
— Abhishek (@be_mewadi) May 28, 2024
Are Ritika bhabhi 😔😔 pic.twitter.com/jKTejgTHxs
— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) May 28, 2024
This is story by Ritika Sajdeh – Wife of India’s captain Rohit Sharma
No take on issues our own people faced but comes up with story to support them. Will Right Wing talk about this? pic.twitter.com/LpsUpP9XL3
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 28, 2024
Palestine leaders to Varun Dhawan, Rohit Sharma’s Wife Ritika Sajdeh , Tripti dimri & 69 others :#AllEyesOnRafah pic.twitter.com/BwbkR5Hs8P
— UmdarTamker (@UmdarTamker) May 28, 2024
This wokeism is really not accepted from Ritika, she should stay away from this this will indirectly affect Rohit Sharma’s image.
We are just about to play worldcup and there is no need to do this. pic.twitter.com/G3frNILbfg
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) May 28, 2024
So Indian leftist will be happy to see this, and Rohit Ritika is leftist
— विजय (@bijjuu11) May 28, 2024
She is Ritika Sajdeh, wife of Indian Captain Rohit Sharma.
You won’t find them voicing for Hindus. Be it Kashmiri Pandit or Pakistani or Bangladeshi Hindus!
But they have time for the people of Palestine!
Shame on @ImRo45 and @ritssajdeh pic.twitter.com/03lWdCV0kl
— Aarav (@sigma__male_) May 28, 2024
Ritika Sajdeh deleted the story. People were calling her brave but she turned out to be a coward like his husband. Her so called humanity ended in 2 hours🤣
— akshat. (@StanVirat) May 28, 2024
Ritika Sajdeh story on Gaza has put rohit sharma in trouble
According to sources, Rohit sharma will be removed from ICT captaincy after T20 world cup.
The price you pay in this country for standing with right
— Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary (@niiravmodi) May 28, 2024
It wasn’t the right time Ritika🤦🏻♀️
World cup is about to begin and you unknowingly invited hate, not towards you but towards rohit…coz the nation knows you as the Indian captain’s wife…🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Ob5QOePbiq
— Dhwani ❤️✨️ (@Dhwani_1997) May 28, 2024
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024: Suryakumar Yadav humorously reminds Yashasvi Jaiswal about Rohit Sharma’s warning
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