Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel has landed in another controversy – a week after he got into a Twitter argument with 16-year-old Dangal actress Zaira Wasim. This time, Goel has been called out for being ‘insensitive’ to the visually challenged.
On January 29, Goel inaugurated the 2nd T20 World Cup Championship for the Blind. As part of the event, the minister blindfolded himself to play a bit of cricket. A photograph of the event was shared by PIB India on its Twitter handle, which shows a blindfolded Goel – surrounded by officials – swinging the bat. Soon, the minister was called out by people for his insensitivity towards those who are visually challenged.
While some called him insensitive, one user called him ‘the modern day Gandhari’. Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas in the epic The Mahabharata, blindfolded herself as her husband was blind.
As the criticism started flying all across, the minster attempted to explain his actions by saying that he was requested to play in such a state as an encouragement to the visually impaired players. He tweeted the poster of the event which featured prominent cricket players – Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul and Umesh Yadav – all blindfolded.
But this ‘explanation’ did not cut it with the Twitterati, who lashed out at him without pulling any punches. Here are some of the stinging reactions.
More recently, Goel landed in controversy after he tweeted a painting depicting two women, one in the veil and the other caged naked. “This painting tells a story similar to that of Zaira Wasim,” Mr. Goel said, while tagging the Dangal actor, who played the younger Geeta Phogat.
Wasim had responded, requesting Goel not to drag her into this controversy. The events happened a few days after Wasim, a 16-year-old, was questioned for meeting Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
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