Recently, an incident occurred in the Indian cricket team that was met with much anger and disapproval from the public. The Indian cricket team, which unites 1.4 billion people from all walks of life regardless of their caste, creed, or religion, was the subject of the incident. People were particularly disturbed and vocal in condemning the action of Indian bowlers Md. Siraj and Umran Malik.
The Tilak Tradition
The Tilak tradition is an ancient Indian custom that has been practised in India and the Indian cricket team for many years. Whenever the team travels to different states, they are greeted warmly at their hotels with welcome drinks, garlands and a Tilak applied to the forehead. This has become a customary gesture of welcome for decades. It is also a way of showing unity and brotherhood among the players who play together.
This tradition has become part of the Indian cricket team’s culture and it is seen as a gesture of respect and love for the team. It is also a way to show the respect and gratitude of the host to the players. This gesture is very special and it shows the true spirit of sportsmanship.
But recently, a portion of Indian supporters have been expressing their displeasure towards Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik after a video went viral on the web of the cricketers declining to have a Tilak applied to their foreheads. The video shows the pair entering a hotel and politely informing the staff that they do not wish to have the Tilak applied.
मोहम्मद सिराज और उमरान मलिक ने स्वागत में माथे पर टीका नहीं लगवाया। वह पाकिस्तान नही हिंदुस्थानी टीम के खिलाडी हैं। अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेटर बनने के बाद भी वह अपने धर्म के प्रति कट्टर हैं। #Jago
pic.twitter.com/1sYHVlTJl1— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) February 3, 2023
Tilak, a Hindu tradition in India where guests are welcomed, has become a widely discussed topic online after some fans deemed the act to be inappropriate.
Even after reaching this point, Mohammad Siraj and Umran Malik refuse TILAK because they are religious extremists????#MohammedSiraj #IndianCricketTeam #Cricket #umran #Indian #Tilak #religious pic.twitter.com/F9RTF2wGQE
— Laxman Chaurasiya (@AlLxmn013) February 4, 2023
Some netizens say they should have not done that because the country is above religion.
Indian players were being welcomed by applying #tilak on their forehead But except the Hindu players, any #Muslim player refused to apply Tilak, including #siraj & #UmarMalik No matter what, there #religion is above all for them, even if it means betraying the country. #India pic.twitter.com/On0BvMaMQQ
— Amitisha (@amit00000000121) February 3, 2023
Md Siraj and Umar Malik didn’t get the tilak but our guys go and put chadar in majhar 🙆♂️#Tilak pic.twitter.com/kttvK3lIny
— Satyaagrah (@satyaagrahindia) February 3, 2023
However, the video appears to be from a while ago, since Umran is not included in the upcoming Test team for the Australia series. It is likely that the footage is from the Sri Lanka or New Zealand white-ball matches that were held in the country recently.
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