No One Is Above The Law’ Yuvraj Singh Arrested In Casteist Slur Case, Gets Interim Bail

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh was arrested and was later released on an interim bail in relation to a First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly using casteist remarks against leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on social media.

The southpaw, while talking about his TikTok videos that he used to make during the lockdown last year, had referred to Indian wrist-pinner Chahal using a word that is considered to be derogatory for a certain community in India.

© Instagram Yuvraj Singh

“Yeh bh*ngi log ko kaam nahi hai yeh Yuzi aur isko (Kuldeep),” Yuvraj had said during an Instagram Live session with Rohit Sharma in June last year, when the country was under lockdown.

His remarks had caused a huge uproar on social media and earlier this year a police complaint was filed against him. After the things escalated, the former cricketer even issued an apology for his “unintentional remarks”.

pic.twitter.com/pnA2FMVDXD

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 5, 2020

“I understand that while I was having a conversation with my friends, I was misunderstood, which was unwarranted. However, as a responsible Indian I want to say that if I have unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments or feelings, I would like to express regret for the same. My love for India and all its people is eternal,” Yuvraj had apologised via a tweet.

The complaint was filed by a lawyer, acting upon which the Haryana Police filed an FIR under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

© Reuters

Singh made these comments during an Instagram Live session with India’s limited-overs captain Rohit during the lockdown last year. Many deemed his comments to be offensive to the Dalit community and angry people from all over the country took to the social media in large numbers and ran a hashtag #YuvrajSinghMaafiMaango on the micro-blogging site and their outrage pressured him into accepting his mistake and issuing an apology.

While his arrest was only symbolic as he was released on an interim bail, it proved that in democratic set-up no one is above the law. Whether you are a renowned celebrity or a common man, both are equal in the eyes of the judiciary.

This arrest is significant. It shows that no one is above law. No matter who you are you have a limit. An ordinary man ( lower caste) has the same dignity as you enjoy as a high profile celebrity.
#YuvrajSingh

— मुसाफ़िर (@musafir043) October 17, 2021

Singh in his apology had said that hurting anyone’s sentiments was never his intention and he was misunderstood. However, it shows how negligent he was towards the marginalised communities.

The most worrying thing was the casualness with which he used the word to mock Chahal without even realising that the word he was using is disrespectful to a certain Indian community and would hurt their sentiments.

© Reuters

Many people consider Singh to be a role model but his action was certainly not what we expect of our icons. Being a public-figure it was his responsibility to think twice before saying anything.