Mumbai: Author Shobhaa De has mocked at the performance of Indian athletes, saying that they had gone to Rio Olympics to take selfies and not to win medals, inviting angry response from top sportspersons, including star shooter Abhinav Bindra.
Shobhaa tweeted on Monday night: “Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao (Go to Rio). Selfies lo (Take selfies). Khaali haat wapas aao (Return empty-handed). What a waste of money and opportunity. Only hope? Dependable Abhinav Bindra. Aim for gold, champion!”
Shooter Abhinav Bindra, who missed an Olympic medal by a miniscule margin, has hit back at author Shobhaa De for mocking Indian Olympians.
Bindra responded saying: “Shobhaa De, that’s a tad unfair. You should be proud of your athletes persuing human excellence against the whole world.”
Actress Gul Panag wrote: “Lots of lament about medal tally, but no lament about lack of fitness culture (which builds a sporting nation) Abhinav Bindra, Shobhaa De.”
“Abhinav Bindra, And do so despite of and in spite of there being no infra and institutional support, and no sporting culture.”
Star women’s doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta also hit back angrily. “maybe things will change when the attitude of people like urself change!!!!???? #Proudindian #proudsportsperson,” wrote Jwala on her twitter handle.
Actor Nikhil Dwivedi also didn’t appreciate Shobhaa’s comments.
“Another gem from Shobhaa De. The state has failed our sportsmen. They strive very hard. Don’t mock them,” he tweeted.
Shobhaa De was criticised by more Twitter users.
Goal of a page 3 intellectual. Party karo. Photo khichwao. Khaali bakwaas karo. What a waste of paper. pic.twitter.com/GTOlDJLNvl
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 8, 2016
One wrote: “Shobhaa De Don’t behave like Anti-National dog. Always supporting Jihadi and against Hinduism. Shame on your ***king face.”
Other user wrote: “Shobhaa De is that 0.1% germ which even Dettol can’t kill.”