‘Only a nalayak person can do….’: Harbhajan Singh on Kamran Akmal’s controversial remark on Sikhs

On Tuesday, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal apologised for his remark on Sikhs.

Harbhajan Singh slams Kamran Akmal (Image source: @harbhajansingh/Instagram)

Days after Kamran Akmal made a controversial remark on Sikhs during India vs Pakistan match in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Harbhan Singh slammed the former Pakistan cricketer, calling the remark “absurd” and Akmal’s behaviour “childish”.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, “This is an absurd statement to make. He behaved in a childish way; only a ‘nalayak’ (worthless) person can do it. Akmal should realise that he shouldn’t speak ill of any religion.”

Singh asked Akmal if he knows the history of Sikhs, and of the services the community has done. “Ask your ancestors how, at 12 o’clock, the Sikhs used to attack Mughals and rescue your mothers and sisters,” Singh said. He also said, “It is good that he understood (his mistake) so quickly and apologised but he should never again try to hurt any Sikh or any religion. We respect all religions, whether it is Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism or Christianity.”

Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Brooklyn, New York: On former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal’s comment over the Sikh community, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh says “This is a very absurd statement and a very childish act that only a ‘Nalaayak’ person can do. Kamran Akmal should understand… pic.twitter.com/SyCKW59fgf

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024

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Kamran Akmal—part of a panel on Pakistan’s ARY News—was heard saying, “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… Dekhe last over karna Arshdeep Singh ne hai. Waise uska rhythm nahi laga. 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. Arshdeep Singh will bowl in the last over; he hasn’t looked in a great rhythm. And It is already 12).”

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Soon after the video went viral, Harbhajan Singh strongly criticised Akmal’s statement. On Tuesday, Akmal apologised on X and wrote, “I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology.”

See here:

I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to @harbhajan_singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 10, 2024