The rape of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua village of Jammu & Kashmir has the entire country horrified. Amidst all the glory that our athletes are amassing in the ongoing Commonwealth Games, India is also in international news for this terrible crime. But even when the nation is mired in such upheavals, there are those who want to rile up unnecessary controversies. Thankfully, we’ve got a few good aces up our sleeve, who know how to slam these ‘trolls’ down.
Among the many celebrities who tweeted about Kathua rape, was tennis ace Sania Mirza. She shared a picture of The New York Times headline which talks about the pathetic religious politics that surround the rape case.
In her caption for the picture, Sania condemns the Kathua horror and beseeches people to unite and seek justice, for the sake of humanity.
Is this really the kind of country we we want to be known as to the world today ?? If we can’t stand up now for this 8 year old girl regardless of our gender,caste,colour or religion then we don’t stand for anything in this world.. not even humanity.. makes me sick to the stomach pic.twitter.com/BDcNuJvsoO
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 12, 2018
But of course, the very opposite of that happens.
A random Twitter user decided to remind India’s most successful female tennis player that since she had chosen to ‘marry into’ Pakistan, she could no longer comment on things that go on in India.
Unless of course, she also tweets about Pak terrorism. Because then, according to him, everything else was fair game.
With all respect madam which country are you talking abt.Last time I checked u had married into Pakistan. You no longer are a Indian. And if u must tweet thn also tweet for the innocents killed by Pak terror outfits..
— Kichu കിച്ചു 🇮🇳🙏🚩 (@Kichu_Chirps) April 12, 2018
If there was ever an excellent example of ‘completely missing the point’, it would be this. *slow claps*
Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time Sania Mirza has been trolled/mocked/jibed at for her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
It’s probably what she has for breakfast every time there’s an India-Pak match or any event that pits the two nations against each other, however friendly.
Maybe it was the practice she’s gotten from slamming it on the tennis court or from dealing with such trolls for a while now, but Sania Mirza’s reply was a perfectly hit fireball that will make you proud of her.
First of all nobody marries ‘into’ anywhere .. you marry a person! Secondly NO LOW LIFE like you will tell me which country I belong to.. I play for India,I am Indian and always will be.. nd maybe if u look beyond religion and country one day you may just also stand for humanity! https://t.co/0rF9SwG7WT
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 12, 2018
Sania Mirza looked like she was channeling coach Kabir Khan from Chak De, who could hear only one name—INDIA. And her message was loud and clear.
Funnily enough, this wasn’t Sania’s first rodeo in this week alone. A couple of days ago, when the trailer for the Alia Bhatt-starrer Raazi came out, someone compared the story to Sania’s.
https://twitter.com/BollywoodGandu/status/983573277690953728
To which, she just couldn’t help but say…
Ummm.. I think not 🙄 https://t.co/6gSfMHTHVd
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 10, 2018
Phew!
The irony about all of this happening right now is that today is Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik’s eighth wedding anniversary! Imagine having to defend your marriage to other people even after all these years!
Her fiery reply earned her oodles of praise and support from her fellow Indians.
You know the sensible ones, who didn’t miss the point and who understand that despite everything, Sania Mirza remains an Indian citizen who has made her country proud on countless occasions.
1. Beyond the understanding of some people.
When @MirzaSania plays and wins its the Indian Tricolor that goes up and the Indian National Anthem that is played across the world. That's beyond the understanding of some people.
— Raghu Raman (@captraman) April 12, 2018
2. Sad but true….
Mam. With all due respect we live in a country where all arguments start with Hatred and end with religion.
Nobody remembers the grand slams you have won, the davis cup you played for the country .
Your identity is just that you are married to a person you loved. Sad but true https://t.co/yRY46Slwxq— बिट्स and pieces man (@sandyraj14) April 12, 2018
3. Argumentum ad hominem: A fallacious argumentative strategy whereby genuine discussion of the topic at hand is avoided by attacking the character of the person making the argument.
God. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to constantly have people using your marriage and relationships to question every decision or statement you ever make. Especially if you're a woman.
Kudos to @MirzaSania for wading through the nonsense and making herself heard. https://t.co/BKtZuACmlj
— TheMadrasEye (@TheMadrasEye) April 12, 2018
4. The fact that absolute nobodies feel entitled to ask such a question….
@MirzaSania has done much more for this (yes, THIS) country than any random patriarchal male who draws his entire identity from his religion and gender rather than his work will ever manage, or even understand. Yet this kind of scum feels entitled to question her daily. https://t.co/1LGraeV3m6
— Reply with doggo pics please (@mateshutup) April 12, 2018
5. Owe no explanation!
U r a true indian,a great tennis player,n we are proud of u,as always @MirzaSania ,u never owe anybody any explanation,ever https://t.co/pRfX2Vcix9
— Vamshi Stambamkadi (@Vamshi_mAi) April 12, 2018
6. This sh** has to stop!
It's damn sad that a person who has given so much to the country has to explain herself to keyboard warriors. And this "Sania belongs to Pakistan","Which country do you support during India-Pak game?" shit has to stop. https://t.co/vah54Vdxr6
— Ramnath Shenoy (@ramnathshenoy22) April 12, 2018
7. Did you hear it? Because I heard it!
— José Covaco (@HoeZaay) April 12, 2018
Good one, Sania! Don’t know about you, but that’s what we like to call a Grand Slam!