After complaint was lodged against him by Hisar-based Dalit activist Rajan Kalsan for allegedly using the ‘casteist slur’ last year, former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh now has been booked by Haryana Police in an eight-month-old complaint.
Rajan Kalsan had alleged the comments of Yuvraj, made during an Instagram live session with Rohit Sharma in April last year, degraded and defamed the Dalit community.
The former India all-rounder was on Sunday booked by the Hansi Police in Hisar district under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. As per the complaint, the remarks were meant to provoke the community in an attempt to create unrest by hurting social sentiments of the country. "I request you to press appropriate charges against Yuvraj Singh and arrest him," said the complainant.
Yuvraj had come out with an apology on Twitter after he faced backlash from netizens.
"This is to clarify I have never believed in any kind of disparity, be it on the lines of caste, colour, creed or gender. I have given and continue to spend my life for the welfare of people. I believe in the dignity of life and respect each individual without exception," Yuvraj had tweeted.
"I understand that while I was having a conversation with my friends, I was misunderstood, which was unwarranted. However, as a responsible Indian I want to say that if I have unintentionally hurt anybody's sentiments or feelings, I would like to express apology for the same," he added.
The south-paw announced his retirement from cricket in 2019. He represented India in 304 ODIs, 58 T20Is while he donned white jersey for 40 times.
(With inputs from IANS)