Shikhar Dhawan, Danish Kaneria fire back at Shahid Afridi’s remark on Indian Army, says ‘apne desh ki taraqqi mai dhyan lagao’

New Delhi: Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that resulted in 26 civilian deaths on 22 April, Shahid Afridi, a former Pakistani cricketer, drew criticism for his remarks questioning India’s account of the incident and demanding evidence of Pakistani involvement. Afridi also made unsubstantiated accusations against Indian security forces.

“Patakha phat jaata hai wahaa par, Pakistan ne kiya. Tum logo ki 8 lakh ki fauj hai Kashmir mein aur ye ho gaya. Iska matlab nalayak ho, nikamme ho na tum log ki security nahi de sake logo ko,” Afridi had said on Samaa TV.

Following Shahid Afridi’s comments, Shikhar Dhawan responded critically on social media, referencing Pakistan’s 1999 Kargil War loss to India and urging Afridi to focus on national development instead of making unsubstantiated statements.

“Kargil mein bhi haraya tha, already itna gire hue ho aur kitna giroge, bewajah comments pass karne se acha hai apne desh ki taraqqi mai dimag lagao @SAfridiOfficial. Humein hamari Indian Army par bohot garv hai. Bharat Mata Ki Jai! Jai Hind!” Dhawan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistani cricketer, criticized Afridi’s remarks.

“He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful,” Kaneria posted on X.

Following the Pahalgam attack, Shahid Afridi’s remarks have drawn strong criticism in India, where public sentiment remains tense. The attack, resulting in civilian casualties, has been widely condemned by Indian cricketers and fans, prompting a firm government response.

India has ordered Pakistani citizens to depart by May 1st, closed the Wagah-Attari border crossing, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and reduced diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

 

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