All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday condemned the online abuse of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami after the team’s defeat in its opening match of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan on Sunday.
Owaisi, a prominent Indian Muslim parliamentarian, said it shows the “radicalisation and hatred against Muslims”.
"Mohammed Shami is being targeted on social media for yesterday's match, showing radicalisation, hatred against Muslims. In cricket, you win or lose. There are 11 players on the team but only a Muslim player is targeted. Will the BJP government condemn it?" Indian news agency ANI quoted AIMIM chief Owaisi as saying.
Shami is being viciously trolled after India lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets and reportedly the trolls have targeted him because of his Islamic faith and accused him of "deliberately" performing badly against Pakistan.
Shami has not reacted to any of the attacks. This is the first time India lost to Pakistan in World Cup history.
India had won all the previous 12 World Cup matches played between the two teams since 2007.
Meanwhile, several past and present cricket players condemned the online abuses.
Former Indian cricket player Virender Sehwag tweeted his support to Shami, calling him a champion.
Shami has been one of India's finest fast bowlers in recent times and has performed extremely well over the last five years.