Shakib Al Hasan is a well song hero of Bangladesh sports arena. None before him attained the world’s best in the business acclamation. Still for some antics he also featured in some controversies.
Him appearing in Kali Puja festival at Kolkata is the latest controversy that is being hotly debated in Bangladesh social and electronic media. As an individual living in a secular country there is no bindings for anyone attending any religious program of any section of society. But a popular superstar just coming out of a suspension term a very cautious approach was expected of him. But his action definitely does not deserve any extreme action of someone threatening to kill him in social media. For the sake of clarity let us do some soul searching.
For a country like Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan is definitely a blessing reaching the height of number one all-round cricketers in all formats. He is one of the very few making Bangladeshis all over the sporting world proud for his sheer skills and excellence. But at the same type his exuberance has earned him suspension by BCB and ICC on few occasions. The latest was his ICC suspension for not letting ICC or BCC informed about his conversation with bookies. He just came out of his one-year suspension for all forms of cricket. Ironically Bangladesh cricket and world cricket did not suffer much from his absence as COVID19 pandemic outbreak kept bilateral and ICC tournaments to bare minimum.
Shakib spent most of his suspension term leaving with his family in USA. He was invited to attend an event of Melbourne living Bangladeshis cricket event in March. It was called off for COVID 19 outbreak. However, Close to completion of his suspension tenure Shakib returned to Bangladesh and had one-month intensive fitness work outs behind the door at his own institution BKSP under care of his mentors. The plan was playing for Bangladesh against scheduled series against Sri Lanka. But that series did not go through. Shakib returned to Australia and after spending a month returned after the expiry of his suspension term.
In the wake of ongoing CORONA wave anyone returning home is required to stay in 14 days quarantine either at institution or through own arrangement at home. Shakib surprising all appeared publicly the very next day of his return. He returned to cricket. Even controversy was created about his fitness test. Off course for an athlete like Shakib beep test was of little significance. However, him travelling by road to Kolkata, incident like alleged breaking of a cell phone of a fan and appearing on the stage of Kali Puja festival triggered further controversies.
Celebrities in a country like Bangladesh usually have every step under microscope of different media. Had it not been during pandemic time and had it not been in an orthodox society where fundamentalism prevails over secular system none would have taken any note of these. But Shakib was not very careful. The carefree attitude of Shakib dragged him into this controversy. Good that he realized and sought apology and clarified his position. Mistake was also made by Indian media, which covered his visit to Puja mandop.
But his action did not deserve the extreme hostile reaction of an activist appearing in social media abusing him with filthy language and threatening to butcher him. We condemn it and demand bringing that terrorist under law.
However, BCB cannot also escape blame. Why Shakib is not being advised to stay restrained. He must concentrate on cricket and cut down his social engagement within the restriction of Bio Bubble restrictions.
Shakib must also realize that he has to behave rationally and responsibly as well. Bangladesh cricket deserves his unflinching attention to cricket now. Media will be following his every step as well as ICC.
Fan followers and critics of Shakib must also behave rationally. Shakib is also a human being prone to mistakes.
BDST: 1211 HRS, NOV 17, 2020
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