Recently what happened in Bollywood's famous talk show "Koffee with Karan" left everyone shocked and bedazzled with the comments and sexist remarks that famous Indian Youth Cricketers: Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul made.....
Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul have been in the eye of a massive storm following their sexist and racists comments on a popular TV show, Koffee with Karan. After making misogynistic comments on the show, Hardik Pandya took to Twitter to tender an apology. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not satisfied with the apology and put the two cricketers under provisional suspension and asked them to return home from Australia.
The TV show was aired on January 6. In the show, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul talked about their relationships, crushes, favourite movies, actors and actresses. While Rahul kept a level head on his shoulders and chose his words very carefully while replying to Karan Johar's questions throughout the show, it was Hardik Pandya who boasted about hooking up with multiple women and even spoke about how open he is with his parents.
The Baroda all-rounder received a further setback when Gillette terminated its contract with him. Pandya was also replaced in the team by Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar for the ongoing ODI series in Australia and India's limited-overs tour of New Zealand later this month.
The duo was also slammed by legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar and World Cup-winning spinner Harbhajan Singh for their controversial remarks.
As the controversy rages on, here is a look at the timeline of events that led to the suspension of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul:
KL RAHUL AND HARDIK PANDYA APPEAR AT KARAN SHOW:
KL Rahul appeared on the celebrity chat show with teammate and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
During an hour-long show, Pandya and Rahul talked about their relationships, crushes, favourite movies, actors and actresses.
"When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Main karke aya hai Aaj (I had sex today)'. At a party, my parents asked me 'acha Tera wala (women) Kaun sa hai [who is your interest here?] so I said yeh, yeh, yeh (pointing out women)' and they were like 'waah proud of you beta'," Pandya boasted.
The 25-year-old also said things like, "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move," when Karan Johar asked him why he doesn't ask women for their names in nightclubs.
Rahul then went on to reveal how they both decide on who gets to date a girl when Karan Johar asked them what happens when both of them like a particular person? "Up to the woman," Rahul replied.
But Pandya interrupted and said, "Nahi Nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, talent pe hota hai. Jisko mila woh leke jao. It is on talent."
When Karan asked him who he thought should go for therapy, Rahul said: "I think Virat. He needs to calm down. I keep telling him, he's just, he has never had a holiday mode. He's always like 'work, work, work'."
When Karan asked whom would you take fitness advice from? Pandya said "Virat".
Award for the best prankster? Then he also chose "Virat". And the award for the most romantic? Rahul said: "Again, Virat".
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul talked about their relationships, crushes, favorite movies, actors and actresses.
While Rahul kept a level head on his shoulders and chose his words very carefully while replying to Karan Johar's questions throughout the show, it was Hardik Pandya who got carried away and never really seemed like he quite understood what he was saying throughout the hour-long show.
PANDYA APOLOGISES:
Hardik Pandya landed himself in deep trouble after appearing on Karan Johar's show Koffee with Karan. His comments did not go down well with his fans and followers of the popular talk show and took to Twitter to apologize for his comments.
"After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologize to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way.
"Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect," Pandya posted on Twitter.
HARDIK DRAWS BCCI IRE:
Pandya's apology came a little too late with the BCCI taking note of what all was said. It is understood that a section of the BCCI wants its decision makers to penalize Hardik Pandya for his comments on Koffee with Karan.
"What Hardik has spoken at the show speaks poorly of the BCCI and Indian cricket. An apology is not enough and strong action should be taken so that the right example can be set for the younger generation," an official said.
HARDIK, RAHUL ASKED TO EXPLAIN CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS:
The Committee of Administrators issued a show cause notice to the two Indian cricketers, Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul, and sought an explanation within 24 hours for their remarks on women on a TV show.
The show cause came hours after Pandya apologized for making remarks that were construed as misogynist and sexist on celebrity chat show 'Koffee with Karan', saying he got "carried away by the nature" of the show.
"We have sent show cause notices to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their comments. They have given 24 hours to give an explanation," CoA chief Vinod Rai told PTI.
BCCI CONSIDERS BARRING PLAYERS FROM NON-CRICKET SHOWS:
Criticism started coming Pandya's way soon after and it is learnt that he was ticked off by the BCCI top brass. According to a source, his comments were deemed "crass and cringe-worthy" and might have a bearing on whether Indian cricketers appear on "such non-cricket shows" after this.
"It will be considered whether players should even be allowed to appear on such shows which have got nothing to do with cricket," a BCCI source told PTI.
HARDIK RESPONDS TO BCCI SHOW CAUSE NOTICE:
Hardik Pandya responded to the BCCI show cause notice by saying that he was "sincerely regretful" for the comments he made on the TV show.
In his response to the notice, which gave him 24 hours to explain himself, Pandya said he did not realize that his comments would be found offensive.
"I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realizing that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful," he wrote in his response, which is in PTI's possession.
"I would like to assure you that there was no malice or any sort of ill-intent on my part to offend anyone or portray any section of society in a bad light. I made these statements in the flow of the show and had not comprehended the extent to which my statements would be found offensive," he added.
The 25-year-old, who is here for the ongoing series against Australia, vowed never to repeat the behaviour.
"Rest assured I hold the BCCI in the highest regard and will exercise complete discretion and prudence to ensure that such incidents are never repeated in future," he said.
BCCI RAISES HONEY TRAP CONCERN:
BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary has warned Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's infamous comments on TV show Koffee with Karan could leave them susceptible to approaches from bookies. Chaudhary feared the players could be targeted by organized syndicates indulging in match-fixing through honey trap route.
In an internal communication to BCCI COA member Diana Edulji, accessed by India Today, Chaudhary writes, "It must be noted that the comments such as the ones that have been made would definitely have painted a large, red target on the back of the players for potential recruiters for the organized syndicates who attempt to indulge in match-fixing across the globe.
"The very first caution that the ICC Anti-Corruption officers give in a briefing to the players is to beware of situations of honey traps and the comments made on the show make it seem that the players may just be ripe for the plucking."
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya were the first set of cricketers to appear on Koffee with Karan, an entertainment chat show, notorious for opening up celebrities in their personal lives.
HARDIK PANDYA'S FATHER DEFEND UNDER-FIRE CRICKETER:
Hardik Pandya's father has jumped to the defense of his son, who has been facing severe criticism over his infamous comments.
Reacting to the criticism, Pandya's father Himanshu said mid-day: "I don't think people should read too much into his comments. It was an entertainment show and his comments were made in a light-hearted manner.
"He was only looking to entertain the audience. So, it [his comments] should not be viewed very seriously or negatively. He is an innocent boy with a very fun-loving nature."
VIRAT KOHLI REACTS:
India captain Virat Kohli slammed all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener KL Rahul for the sexist and misogynistic comments they made on the TV show.
"We as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don't align with those views, those were individual opinions. We are still waiting for a decision to be made," Kohli said at a press conference in Sydney.
DIANA EDULJI WANTS PANDYA, RAHUL TO PUT UNDER SUSPENSION PENDING INQUIRY:
Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji recommended "suspension till further action" against India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after the BCCI legal team refused to declare their outrage-evoking comments on women a violation of the code of conduct.
Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after COA chief Vinod Rai agreed with her and recommended the same.
"It is imperative that players be put under suspension till further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO (Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter," read Edulji's response to the legal opinion which is in possession of PTI.
"Based on legal opinion and the final procedure is laid down to address this issue, will recommend that communication is sent to concerned players and team immediately," Edulji wrote in response to recommendations from the Board's legal firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.
PANDYA, RAHUL SUSPENDED, TO RETURN HOME:
Hardik Pandya and Lokesh Rahul have been suspended until a pending investigation into their controversial comments.
"Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry," PTI quoted Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai as saying.
"The duo are being sent back. If they can book tickets then tomorrow or at least by a day after. At this point their chances of making it to the New Zealand tour is also bleak," said a senior BCCI official.
A source in the BCCI also told the PTI that the two cricketers will be issued fresh show cause notices.
"Whether it will be an internal committee of the BCCI or an ad hoc ombudsman who will conduct an inquiry, is yet to be ascertained," the official said.
'NOT COOL':
Harbhajan Singh has slammed KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya who have been suspended by the BCCI over their controversial comments during an appearance on a popular television show, Koffee with Karan.
"It [the suspension] was bound to happen. The BCCI has taken the right decision. That's the way forward too. In this case, there was a lot of talk about sexism, racism and other ill-natured comments. You don't tell these kinds of things on national television. We don't even discuss these things with our friends," Harbhajan told India Today on Friday.
"They have openly said. 'I have done this; I have done that'. It was shocking to me. Many of my seniors and my friends have been talking about it and it has been shocking to all of them.
"He [Hardik] tried to look cool on TV by putting other players also on the same level. People might think that Harbhajan Singh is one of them, Anil Kumble is also one of them and Sachin Tendulkar is also one of them. We are not like them.
"This is wrong. They need to understand they play cricket and people treat them as gods. They can't go out and say such things while pretending to be cool. You're making a fool out of yourself. This definitely was going to happen."
GAVASKAR WELCOMES BCCI MOVE:
Former India captain and batting great Sunil Gavaskar had lauded the BCCI for suspending Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul and asking them to return home from Australia where Team India is playing a three-match ODI series.
Gavaskar insisted that suspended players shouldn't be rubbing shoulders with their teammates in the dressing room. The batting great's comments come after media reports claimed that the India team management was mulling to keep Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul with the team despite the BCCI suspending them until a pending inquiry.
"They [the BCCI] have dealt with it [the controversy]. From what I read in the newspapers today, they have sent them back or asked them to come back. That's the right way to send a signal," Gavaskar told Sony Six on Saturday.
"If you do things that bring your team and the game into disrepute, then you can't be part of the team. Of course, the inquiry will then establish what further action, if at all needed, has to be taken.
"They have been asked to come back and I believe it's the correct step because you can't have suspended players travelling with the team or staying in the same room. They have got to be kept away. Otherwise, what's the point of the suspension? If they are going to enjoy the perks of being with the team."
VINOD RAIN WANTS QUICK INQUIRY, EDUJI FEARS COVER UP:
Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai has proposed a quick inquiry into much-criticized comments made by suspended cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul but Diana Edulji fears it will be construed as a "cover-up" job.
The two-member Committee of Administrators (COA) is yet again divided and this time on how the inquiry into the latest controversy should be conducted.
"We should be in no hurry to conduct the inquiry as it would then look like a cover-up job being done," Edulji wrote in her email response after Rai wanted the inquiry to be completed quickly as team strength has gone down from 15 to 13.
"We must take a view by the time second ODI gets over as we cannot afford to debilitate team strength due to delinquent behavior on the part of some player," Rai had written.
PANDYA LOSES GILLETTE ENDORSEMENT :
Hardik Pandya received a further setback. Hardik Pandya has lost his endorsement deal with Gillette after the Koffee with Karan controversy. Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended and have been ordered to return home from Australia following their sexist comments on the TV show.
GILL, SHANKAR REPLACES RAHUL, PANDYA:
Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar have been named replacements for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for the remainder of the ODI series in Australia and the limited-over series in New Zealand. Pandya and Rahul were suspended and ordered to return home after their controversial comments on TV show Koffee with Karan.
Vijay Shankar, who made his T20I debut in March 2018, will join the India squad ahead of the second ODI against Australia, on January 15 in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Gill, who has earned a senior national team call-up for the first time, will join the team only during the New Zealand tour, consisting of five ODIs and three T20Is from January 23.
BABUL SUPRIYO SLAMS EDULJI OVER HARDIK, RAHUL SUSPENSIONS:
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, Babul Supriyo has slammed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Committee of Administrators (CoA) member, Diana Edulji for trying to "destroy" the careers of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who have been suspended pending an inquiry over their "inappropriate comments" on a popular television show.
Supriyo, also a playback singer, expressed concerns with the way senior BCCI officials have handled the situation and added Edulji had contemplated extreme steps with regards to the punishments meted out to Hardik and Rahul.
"With due & utter respect to Diana Edulji & her contribution to Indian cricket, May I say that her thinking has got 'fossil' to contemplate such extreme steps What Hardik said is deplorable but there has to be some prudence in the way such senior minds handle the young ones (sic)," Supriyo wrote on Twitter.
"There is a 'Thick' line between reprimanding someone and destroying them!! My plea to these seniors: please behaves your ages, gentlemen & ladies. Rest my case (sic)."
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