Pakistani sports journalist Zainab Abbas, who arrived in India to cover the ICC World Cup 2023, has found herself embroiled in a controversy that led to her reported departure from the country. The incident has raised questions about the role of social media and allegations of derogatory remarks against India and Hindus.
Reports indicate that Zainab Abbas was either deported from India or left the country due to security concerns, with varying accounts of the incident. The controversy came to light when lawyer Vineet Jindal filed a complaint against Zainab Abbas, accusing her of posting derogatory remarks on social media targeting India and Hindus.
The lawyer’s complaint cited several old tweets allegedly posted by Zainab Abbas under the Twitter handle “Zainablovesrk,” which has since been changed to “ZAbbas Official,” her current Twitter handle.
Pakistani sports presenter Zainab Abbas has safely exited India over "safety concerns"
She is currently in Dubai; allegations involve #cybercrime and old anti-India tweets #ICCWorldCup2023 #IndiaPakistan #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/DRWKMZs0qS
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) October 9, 2023
In the complaint, Vineet Jindal urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs in India to take action against Zainab Abbas. He stated, “‘Athiti devo bhava’ (Guest is God) is applicable only to those who respect our country and Hindu Dharma, but anti-Bharatiya (anti-Indian) individuals are not welcome on our land.”
Initial reports suggested that Zainab Abbas had been deported from India, but later reports indicated that she left the country due to safety concerns. Pakistani news outlet Samaa TV initially reported her deportation but later deleted the tweet, stating that the Pakistani sports presenter had exited India safely, citing “safety concerns.” The allegations against her reportedly involve cybercrime and old anti-India tweets.
Zainab Abbas had expressed excitement about her visit to India and her coverage of the ICC World Cup 2023 on social media before her departure. In her tweet, she emphasized the cultural similarities between India and Pakistan, the camaraderie off the field, and her role in representing and creating content for the event. She mentioned her journey away from home for six weeks and her excitement about presenting at the Cricket World Cup for the ICC.
The incident involving Zainab Abbas highlights the sensitivity of social media posts and their potential to impact individuals’ professional lives and public image. It also underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and respect when expressing opinions on social media platforms, especially for public figures involved in high-profile events such as international sports coverage.
