Danish Kaneria Alleges Discrimination and Conversion Pressure from Shahid Afridi
Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria, speaking at a Congressional Briefing, revealed that Shahid Afridi repeatedly asked him to convert to Islam. He discussed the discrimination he faced within the cricket team due to his Hindu faith, which he claims destroyed his career. Kaneria emphasized the need for awareness regarding the plight of minorities in Pakistan, citing his experiences as an example.
Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistani Hindu cricketer, disclosed that Shahid Afridi repeatedly urged him to convert to Islam during his cricketing career. Kaneria, who played 61 Test matches and 18 One Day Internationals for Pakistan from 2000 to 2011, stated that his career was significantly hampered by discrimination within the national team due to his religion. While participating in a Congressional Briefing in Washington D.C. on the ‘Plight of Minorities in Pakistan’, he highlighted the lack of respect and equal treatment he received, attributing his relocation to the United States to those experiences.
Kaneria elaborated on the discrimination he faced, emphasizing that certain team members, notably Afridi, created a hostile environment for him. He acknowledged receiving support from Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar, contrasting their attitudes with those of Afridi and others. Kaneria claimed, “Shahid Afridi was the main person telling me to convert, and he did a lot of times,” underscoring the troubling dynamics he experienced within the team framework. Through his statements, he aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by minorities in Pakistan and advocate for necessary changes.
Danish Kaneria’s revelations shed light on the discrimination faced by minority religious groups, particularly in sports. His experiences with Shahid Afridi highlight the challenges he encountered as a Hindu cricketer in Pakistan. By sharing his story in a public forum, Kaneria seeks to garner support and raise awareness regarding the plight of minorities, underscoring the need for acknowledgment and action against such discrimination.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
