Even an icon like Kohli wasn't spared: Swara Bhasker on India’s rising Islamophobia

Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker recently spoke up against the rising Islamophobia in India, especially in relation to the recent hate thrown towards cricketer Mohommed Shami and Virat Kohli who defended him following India’s loss in the T20 match against Pakistan.

She said in an interview with NDTV, “As far as the cricket match and people winning and losing, it happens all the time. I understand that there is a lot of emotion that is connected with cricket in India, especially when it comes to Pakistan-India matches, but it is also obvious the way certain sections use these matches to whip up a certain kind of narrative which really is an ulterior motive to help their politics.”

She added, “We saw that happening in this case. I personally think that Virat Kohli showed great leadership. I want to say at this moment that he was a good captain to stand up for his teammate, and I think he said the right things and made the right points. He called out the Islamophobia by pointing to it, not avoiding it and he said that [their] brotherhood cannot be shaken and that [they] are 200% behind him, and I think that’s a great role model and a great example and he really lived up to him being a national icon.”

On how even powerful individuals in society are not spared when it comes to hate, Swara asserted, “But, I do want to say, that [the fact that] not even a national icon like Virat Kohli was spared, should make us pause and think [about] how hate is a fire that cannot be controlled. I really hope that the people who use this kind of hysteria take a moment to reflect on this because it will come back to bite them in an uncomfortable place.”