India's football team captain Sunil Chhetri becomes target of racism during live chat with Virat Kohli
An Instagram user picked out Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri with a racist comment during his live chat with Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. "Ye Nepali kon h (who is this Nepali)," an Instagram user by the username "yasharma.official" wrote during the talk between India’s sporting icons.
A Twitter user posted a screenshot of the chat with the comment and denounced the racist outlook towards people from the North-East, citing the derogatory words that are often used for them.
India is one of the most racist country.
— Abhinav kaka (@kabhinav08) May 18, 2020
The Indian football captain is called Nepali can only imagine the plight of North East people here. People not knowing Chhetri is still fine. But society has sort of normalised chinki, Nepali etc towards them.
It's shameful. pic.twitter.com/m8v14kOrTu
"The Indian football captain is called Nepali can only imagine the plight of North East people here," the user wrote.
"People not knowing Chhetri is still fine. But society has sort of normalised chinki, Nepali etc towards them," he wrote, before adding "It's shameful."
Twitter users were infuriated by the comment, with one user jotting down that the user who made the racist remark has been reported. "Nobody undermines Sunil Chhetri," he added.
The Instagram user's account who made the distasteful remark has been deactivated.
"Absolutely pathetic," one user wrote.
"Kids should be educated about diversity among people and culture. North East is just mentioned. It deserves much more attention than that. There is a lack of awareness. Sadly we know very little about the North East of our own country," another user wrote.
Sunil Chhetri has set himself up as a legend in Indian football. He is country’s highest ever goal scorer, with 72 goals for India.
First published: 19 May 2020, 17:16 IST