Even after resigning as head coach of the state, he continues to be attacked, apparently because of his religious identity
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Former Cricketer Wasim Jaffer, who recently faced attacks by Hindu right-wing because of his Muslim identity, is under fresh attack, this time by an official of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU).
Mahim Varma, secretary of the CAU, has made his prayers an issue and alleged that as coach of the Uttrakhand state team Jaffer used to favour Muslim players.
Jaffer, who has already resigned from his post, has strongly refuted the allegation. He held a virtual press conference on Wednesday and termed the allegations of communal bias as “very unfortunate”.
1. I recommended Jay Bista for captaincy not Iqbal but CAU officials favoured Iqbal.
2. I did not invite Maulavis
3. I resigned cos bias of selectors-secretary for non-deserving players
4. Team used to say a chant of Sikh community, I suggested we can say “Go Uttarakhand” #Facts https://t.co/8vZSisrDDl— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 10, 2021
Jaffer rubbished the allegation that he wanted Iqbal Abdullah to be the skipper of Uttrakhand team. He also refuted the allegation that he wanted a Maulvi (prayer leader) to be part of the dressing room to lead prayers. “It was Iqbal who got one Maulvi to lead the prayers on Fridays only after seeking due permission of the team management,” Jaffer said.
He said no Muslim member of the team offered Namaz during practice sessions. They used to pray in their respective rooms after the sessions. “Friday noon prayer was only exception. It can be said only in congregation. We took special permission from the management. Still they are making it an issue,” Jaffer said, adding “I fail to understand their problem?”
Jaffer, who has represented India in 31 Tests, joined Uttarakhand Cricket as head coach in June 2020. The contract was supposed to last for at least one year. But on Tuesday he resigned from his post following reports of differences with Varma, the association secretary, over team selection.
“I feel really sad for the players as I genuinely think that they have a lot of potential and can learn so much from me but are denied this opportunity because of so much interference and bias of selectors and the secretary in the selection matter for non-deserving players,” Jaffer wrote in an email to the association.
Varma, on the other hand, had alleged interference by Jaffer in team selection. “We gave him whatever he asked for, had a pre-season camp for a month and let him choose his outstation players, trainer and bowling coach but his interference in selection matters was getting too much,” Varma was quoted by NDTV as saying.
Reportedly the association was not happy with the team’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 competitions where Uttrakhand lost 4 of 5 matches.
Following the row, Jaffer was subjected to hate messages on social media by right-wing trolls. One among them was TV news anchor Suresh Chavhanke who used the hashtag coronajihad to malign Jaffer.
However, some sections of social media came out in support of Jaffer and said that he was being targeted for his religious identity as he is a practicing Muslim.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re Pehlu Khan or SRK/Aamir or Wasim Jaffer, you will always be targeted because of your identify.
Don’t be apologetic about your identity, never try to prove your patriotism to these useless people.
The sooner you understand the better.
— Md Asif Khan (@imMAK02) February 10, 2021
Former cricketer Anil Kumble wrote a tweet in support of Jaffer and lauded him for taking the stand.
I would request the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand (BJP) Mr.Trivendra Singh Rawat 2 intervene immediately nd take note of the issue in which our National hero Wasim bhai was branded as communal in the Cricket Association nd take necessary action.Time 2 Set an example #WasimJaffer pic.twitter.com/ZPcusxuo7v
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 11, 2021
Cricketer Manoj Tiwari also chose to stand up with Jaffer. He said he will urge the chief minister of Uttarakhand to intervene in the matter.
