Former Indian Test cricketer, coach, national selector and commentator, Ashok Malhotra found himself caught in controversy after his statement during Assam’s clash with Bengal in the quarter final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy had received severe backlash. “What I liked about Assam because we have been playing for Bengal; we have played a number of matches with Assam; I would always say they were like second-class citizens. They are beaten comfortably by Bengal. Right! And as Rohan (the fellow commentator) has been saying, they have come up. They are standing to... with the Bengal boys, and today the body language of Assam boys is much better than the Bengal boys (sic),” he had said in the game.
Cricketer Riyan Parag, man of the match of the game, which Assam comprehensively won, had made a gesture indicating that Assam is at a higher status.
A clipping of his statement had become viral on social media. It was pointed out by many that the nature of the comments were insensitive. Akash Malhotra issued an apology pertaining to the controversy. "I apologise profusely if I have hurt Assam people’s sentiments with my comments during the Assam v Bengal game last evening. I am sorry. It was totally unintentional & was trying to speak about their progress. I regret it and give an unconditional apology,” he stated on X.
">November 1, 2023
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Commentator apologises for referring to Assamese players as second-class citizens
Former Indian Test cricketer, coach, national selector and commentator, Ashok Malhotra found himself caught in controversy after his statement during Assam’s clash with Bengal in the quarter final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy had received severe backlash. “What I liked about Assam because we have been playing for Bengal; we have played a number of matches with Assam; I would always say they were like second-class citizens. They are beaten comfortably by Bengal. Right! And as Rohan (the fellow commentator) has been saying, they have come up. They are standing to... with the Bengal boys, and today the body language of Assam boys is much better than the Bengal boys (sic),” he had said in the game.
Cricketer Riyan Parag, man of the match of the game, which Assam comprehensively won, had made a gesture indicating that Assam is at a higher status.
A clipping of his statement had become viral on social media. It was pointed out by many that the nature of the comments were insensitive. Akash Malhotra issued an apology pertaining to the controversy. "I apologise profusely if I have hurt Assam people’s sentiments with my comments during the Assam v Bengal game last evening. I am sorry. It was totally unintentional & was trying to speak about their progress. I regret it and give an unconditional apology,” he stated on X.
">November 1, 2023
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