S
hadab Khan, the vice-captain of the Pakistani cricket team, celebrated his 25th birthday in India with his wife as they geared up for the ICC World Cup 2023. However, his heartfelt social media post turned into a disheartening display of societal issues.
Khan shared a video on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) of his hotel room decorated with birthday surprises, expressing gratitude for his wife’s thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, many users chose to focus on the bed, leaving disturbing comments. Are we, as a society, so uncomfortable with expressions of love that even a romantic gesture is interpreted sexually?
This incident underscores a troubling reality in our society: we’ve blurred boundaries and conflated love with sexuality. Expressing affection is often seen as conflicting with our “culture” and something to hide.
Criticism of his Instagram birthday celebration instead of tournament preparation was unjustified. It’s crucial to remember that celebrities are individuals who lead their lives while managing their careers. Personal lives should not impact a team’s performance.
If a couple, with the husband as a beloved cricketer and the wife as a private individual (also the daughter of legendary cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq), faces repulsive comments, imagine the plight of ordinary individuals enduring online bullying.
These comments reveal declining societal values and the hypocrisy of trolls who contradict their stated values. We wish Shadab Khan a joyful birthday celebration unaffected by such vile comments. As a society, let’s work toward greater empathy and respect for one another.
Also read:
Asia Cup 2023 Roundup: Let’s Reflect on Pakistan’s performance and rally for Solutions!
