As trolls target Arshdeep Singh , Punjab leaders come out in support

CHANDIGARH: Political leaders of Punjab cutting across party lines came out in support of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who faced online trolling after India's loss to Pakistan in the World Asia Cup's Super 4 match on Sunday, after he dropped a catch of Asif Ali. Many of them tweeted with the hashtag #IStandWithArshdeep.
Terming the 24-year-old cricketer from Mohali a "player full of potential", Punjab sports minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer also spoke to Arshdeep's mother, Baljit Kaur, over the phone and assured her that the entire country stood firmly behind Arshdeep. Hayer said when Arshdeep would return to India, he would personally welcome him.
Hayer also tweeted: "Victory or defeat is given in the game. Arshdeep is an upcoming star who carved out a niche in a short span. Performed excellently against Pakistan. Regressive psyche to troll him on the drop of just a catch. Arshdeep is the future of the nation, an inspiration for youth. Hate has no place in sports."
Former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh said in a Facebook post: "Quite unfortunate that Arshdeep is being mocked over a dropped catch. Such things happen in sports, particularly under such tremendous pressure. We must support and encourage our sports heroes. Arshdeep, don't get disheartened. You have a long and glorious career ahead."
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring tweeted the match statistics of Arshdeep with the caption: "Proud of you Arshdeep." His party colleague and leader of opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa said, "We are proud of you Arshdeep Singh... Don't let online trolls affect your positivity and energy. Next match the nation will look forward to an amazing performance by you."
AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha described the hate directed at Arshdeep as "appalling". "Let us cut that young man some slack. Arshdeep is an amazing talent and will lead the Indian bowling attack in the coming years. No hate can pull him down," he said.
The Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib, Manish Tewari, described people maligning Arshdeep as "enemies of the nation". "Pathetic is the word for them. Cricket between Indo-Pak is unfortunately more than just a match. We stand by him," he said.
Cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh slammed those saying "cheap things" about the bowler. "Stop criticising young Arshdeep Singh. No one drop(s) the catch purposely...we are proud of our boys .. Pakistan played better.. shame on such people who are putting our own guys down by saying cheap things on Twitter about Arsh and the team.. Arsh is gold," he said.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) leader and former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa demanded strictest action against those trolling, abusing and defaming Arshdeep. "A big conspiracy has been hatched to troll Arshdeep and the Centre should take strict cognizance of the same. A special investigation should be carried out by intelligence agencies," he said. "Instead of demoralising players in such a situation, we should support and encourage them," added Dhindsa.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal too came out in support of the cricketer. "We are first and foremost Indians. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christians later. Sikhs are the most patriotic and nationalistic community. To label Arshdeep Singh a Khalistani just because of a dropped catch is against the essence of our national psyche and spirit of sports. #IStandWithArshdeepSingh," he tweeted.
Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu said a Sikh and a true Punjabi could take a bullet on his chest for the country, but he could not backstab it. "It is very wrong to call Arshdeep a traitor and the people who are running such malicious campaign against him are traitors in fact. Arshdeep is a youngster and it will take sometime for him to become fully confident player," he said. "Yesterday, he bowled a magnificent spell even in the last over and he was the only bowler to give away least runs."
AAP's Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha met Arshdeep's family in Kharar on Monday evening. He tweeted: "His parents have persevered and sacrificed so much. His struggle and perseverance, from humble origins to playing for India at the international stage, is inspiring. We all stand firmly with Arsh today."