Post Dr BR Ambedkar tweet controversy, here's what Hardik Pandya said on social media

Mumbai: There seems to be no respite for Indian cricketers as controversies continue to chase them. Mohammed Shami and his wife Hasin Jahan are currently involved in public spat that has been in news for a while and now Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya also landed in trouble after Jodhpur court, on Wednesday, told police to lodge an FIR against the cricketer for a derogatory tweet on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar which he allegedly put on December 26, 2017 and deleted.

It is reported that Pandya’s comment on Twitter was an insult to Ambedkar and was hurtful for people who belong to his community.

DR Meghwal, who is a petitioner, and claims to belong to Rashtriya Bhim Sena, moved an application against the Indian cricketer in court on Tuesday.

Also Read: FIR to be lodged against Hardik Pandya in Jodhpur over alleged Dr Ambedkar tweet?

“I learnt about Pandya’s comment through social media in January. It appeared quite derogatory for a figure like Ambedkar and was an attempt to spread hatred and create division in the society,” Meghwal was quoted as saying by The Times of India. He even demanded adequate and suitable punishment for Pandya over his “crass act”.

However later in the day, it was learnt that it was not Pandya but a parody account named @sirhardik3777 from which the comment was posted on Twitter. The account was later deleted.

Also Read: Did parody Twitter account land Hardik Pandya in Dr Ambedkar tweet controversy?

Pandya came out with a statement on his official Twitter handle and said “There have been multiple misleading reports and articles being circulated in the media today, wherein it is being alleged that I had posted a tweet which was derogatory and insulting to the late Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.”

He further added “I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that no such tweet and/or statement, whether on twitter or any other form of media, has been issued by me. The tweet in question was posted by a fake account using my name and display image. I use only my verified twitter handle to make official communications via twitter and the said tweet was posted by a spurious account, pretending to be me,”.

The Baroda cricketer also wrote in his statement that he has utmost respect for Dr Ambedkar and would make any such comment on him.

“I have the utmost respect for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Indian Constitution and the many communities that call India their home and I would not indulge in making any kind of statement which is derogatory and/or which insults the sentiments of any community. I use social media to interact with my fans and I believe that in this age of social media one must be vigilant of misinformation and act responsibly,”

The 24-year-old cricketer also mentioned “I will also be making the necessary submissions in the Hon’ble Court in order to establish that the said tweet cannot be attributed to me in any manner whatsoever and to further highlight the issue that the said tweet was posted by an imposter posing as me in order to tarnish my reputation, which is a menace faced by many well-known personalities across India today,”