A torrent of online abuse hit Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh on Monday after he dropped a catch against Pakistan, with much of the vitriol focusing on the fact that he is from the Sikh minority.
Singh missed the easy but crucial chance in the closing stages of the arch rivals' dramatic Asia Cup clash on Sunday won by Pakistan in Dubai in the final over -- when the 23-year-old was the bowler.
Singh's Wikipedia entry was briefly altered to link him to the Khalistan Sikh separatist movement, reportedly prompting the government to summon executives from the open-edit online encyclopaedia.
"He is a Khalistani and has secret ties with Pakistan," said one Twitter user. "Arshdeep Singh has taken money as a Khalistani agent," wrote another.
Well Done Khalistani Agent. Well played in favour of pakistan. BCCI pls stop spending money on such type of bullsit players. @arshdeepsinghh
— Alex (@alexji99) September 5, 2022
The Khalistani Terrorist and ISI AGENT Hardeep Intentionally Dropped the catch of the Pakistani batsman to Defeat Our BHARAT. Punish him. 🔥🔥🔥
— Royal Bengal Tiger (@Be70451775Royal) September 4, 2022
Pakistan defeated India in a cricket match. So-called nationalists have gone after a Sikh cricketer, blaming him for the defeat and calling him Khalistani. #IndiaVsPakistan
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 4, 2022
One drop catch and..... 🤮🤮🤢🤢#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/6lhFjkQ6wf
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) September 4, 2022
Stop criticising young @arshdeepsinghh No one drop the catch purposely..we are proud of our 🇮🇳 boys .. Pakistan played better.. shame on such people who r putting our own guys down by saying cheap things on this platform bout arsh and team.. Arsh is GOLD🇮🇳
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 4, 2022
Muslim player's bad_day = gaddar deshdrohi
— Dr Manamohan Singh 💙 (@Mr_ManmohanSing) September 5, 2022
Sikh player's bad_day = #khalistani
Hindu player's bad_day = out of form today.
It is a mistake that's it,
How long is the discrimination?https://t.co/WUA7fNjVL4 pic.twitter.com/aMdlk8XTPv
After the match, star Indian player Virat Kohli backed Singh, saying that "anyone can make a mistake".
It is not the first time that cricketers from Hindu-majority India's religious minorities have faced such attacks.
Read more: India summons Wikipedia officials over cricketer bio tweak after Pakistan match
Last year Muslim player Mohammed Shami became a target of abuse after India were thrashed by Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Thousands of hate messages flooded social media, including Shami's Instagram account, calling him a traitor and alleging he had taken money to throw the game.
Kohli, at the time India captain, also vigorously backed Shami, saying: "Attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do."
The Super Four match on Sunday was the second time India and Pakistan have played against each other in the ongoing Asia Cup. India won the first game and they may meet again in the final on Sunday.
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