Danish Kaneria Aaj Tak interview: In December 2019, a stark revelation sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Shoaib Akhtar, the famed former Pakistani fast bowler, unveiled a deeply unsettling aspect of the nation’s cricketing fraternity, shedding light on the contempt many Pakistanis harbored for their ethnic minorities. This revelation specifically targeted the treatment meted out to two cricketing talents, Danish Kaneria and Yousuf Youhana.
In the world of cricket, where talent, dedication, and passion should be the sole determinants of success, the tale that unfolded was disheartening. Shoaib Akhtar’s candid admission that his own teammates humiliated individuals like Danish Kaneria and Yousuf Youhana for their ethnicities laid bare a deeply ingrained issue within the Pakistani populace.
Fast forward to the present, and Danish Kaneria, the man who bore the brunt of this prejudice, has decided to share his story without malice. In an exclusive interview on Aaj Tak with journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, Danish Kaneria has chosen to unveil his journey as a Pakistani cricketer, offering a poignant glimpse into the hardships he endured while staying true to his cultural heritage. He speaks of the unwavering commitment to his roots and the challenges he faced as a minority in the domain of Pakistani cricket.
So, join us as we understand the facts shared by Danish Kaneria in his recent interview with Aaj Tak, and why it’s not easy representing Pakistan as an ethnic minority.
How Shahid Afridi and Co. made it unbearable for Danish
Danish Kaneria made headlines recently for a fiery exchange with Indian journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani. Their verbal duel centered around the electrifying atmosphere during a cricket World Cup clash between India and Pakistan. However, Danish’s current prominence in Indian politics isn’t solely due to this incident, nor his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support for Sanatana Dharma. It’s rooted in his tumultuous journey as a sportsman representing Pakistan.
Also read: Arfa Sherwani’s victim card punctured by Danish Kaneria’s tweet googlies
Contrary to the ‘cosmopolitan ideals’ envisioned by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan underwent a radical transformation beyond what even Allama Muhammad Iqbal could have imagined. Thanks to multiple attempts, the population of the non-Muslim communities, which was around more than 25 percent by 1947, had decreased to less than 5 percent by 2011.
The nation’s cricket team, a reflection of this shift, saw limited representation from non-Muslim communities. Astonishingly, only 7 cricketers from such backgrounds ever donned Pakistan’s jersey on the international stage, with Danish’s elder cousin, Anil Dalpat, making history as the first Hindu wicketkeeper.
In a candid interview on Aaj Tak with Sudhir Chaudhary, Danish Kaneria shared insights into his career and the challenges he faced. He proudly proclaimed, “By the grace of Bhagwan, my career was going well. I was the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan, following the legends Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan. Inzamam-Ul-Haq was the only captain who wholeheartedly supported me. Regrettably, I faced harassment from others, including Shahid Afridi. They would not dine with me, incessantly pushing for my conversion, but my Dharma remained paramount to me.”
Danish Kaneria Aaj Tak interview: “Nothing above Sanatana Dharm”
Addressing the spot-fixing allegations that had shrouded his career in controversy, Danish vehemently stated, “Many prominent players in the Pakistani team, led by Shahid Afridi, persistently urged me to convert to Islam. I was unjustly ensnared in false spot-fixing allegations. Some are now discussing my supposed admission of guilt after eight years. It’s time to set the record straight. I never received backing or support from our cricket board, whether it was Ejaz Bhat or Najam Sethi. They turned a blind eye because of my faith, fully aware that I possessed the potential to shatter records. Once I stepped onto the field, I became an unstoppable force in taking wickets. That was inevitable, and they knew I had the ability to surpass all records.”
Danish Kaneria’s revelations didn’t stop at his personal struggles; they extended to the deeper issue of radicalization within Pakistani cricket. He pointed out the absence of support from fellow players when facing accusations, except for a solitary exception, Shoaib Akhtar. In stark contrast, Indian cricket fosters an environment of equality, respect, and love for all its players, irrespective of their backgrounds. Players like Shami, Siraj, Irfan Pathan, Yousuf Pathan, and even Mohammad Azaharuddin exemplify this inclusiveness.
For Danish, Sanatana Dharma takes precedence above all else. He passionately expressed, “My faith in Sanatan Dharma is above everything. Lord Ram serves as the guiding light of my life, encouraging me to raise my voice in defense of the Sanatan Dharma. I’m merely shedding light on the stark realities prevailing in Pakistan, on the wrongdoings that often go unreported and remain hidden in plain sight.”
As a devoted Sanatani, Danish firmly believes in advocating for his Hindu brethren and the entire Hindu community. He sees it as his duty, granted by Bhagwan, to speak out. In his words, “My Dharma teaches me to raise my voice for my fellow Hindus. If I possess the ability to speak, I must use it to support them. I hope that people like me will join this cause, raising their voices in unison. It would be even more powerful if the Indian media takes a stand on this issue because a wrong should always be called out for what it is.”
Danish Kaneria’s unwavering commitment to his faith, coupled with his fearless stance against the injustices faced by the Hindu community in Pakistan, serves as a powerful testament to the values of Sanatana Dharma. At a juncture where his Indian counterparts have other thoughts about expressing their ethnic roots openly, Danish Kaneria shows how being a Sanatani should be worn like a badge of honor, not shame!
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