Recently, cricketer Hardik Pandya appeared on season 6 of the chat show Koffee With Karan, along with fellow cricketer KL Rahul. During the show, Hardik Pandya made multiple comments that were inherently misogynistic and racist in nature, and naturally, netizens called it out for its sensitivity.
It might have been fun initially to watch two young sportsmen letting their guards down, but the obnoxious and misogynist attitude of #HardikPandya just was too much to take in. At one time, cricket was called a gentleman’s sport. Where has all the class gone? #KoffeeWithKaran
— Vivek (@Vivek18137144) January 6, 2019
Hardik Pandya has now taken to social media to apologize for his comments, stating that he ‘got carried away by the nature of the show’, but meant no disrespect to anyone.
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 9, 2019
Even former BCCI General Manager (Game Development) Ratnakar Shetty took to Twitter to condemn the cricketer’s behavior on the show.
It is time the BCCI decides to take corrective steps for cricketers who talk rubbish on public platforms. Hardik Pandya was a disgrace to the cricket community the way he spoke on Koffeewith Karan show. He has insulted the women and also made a racist remark.
— Ratnakar Shetty (@RatnakarShetty6) January 9, 2019
According to a report by Times of India, both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have also been issued show cause notices by the BCCI. According to Chairman of the Committee of Administrators that runs the BCCI, Vinod Rai,
We have sent showcause notices to Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul for their comments. They have been given 24 hours to give an explanation.
It was absolutely disheartening to see an international cricketer like Hardik Pandya share such comments, especially when young and aspiring cricketers look up to him. However, the reaction of the audience and BCCI gives us hope that finally, even celebrities are being held accountable for their actions.
