Fans of Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli have come out in his support after Kohli was subjected to trolling and faced backlash for urging people not to burst crackers during Diwali. His fans took to social media putting the hastag #IStandWithKohli.
On November 14, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli shared a 17-second video on his social media accounts wishing his fans and followers on the occasion of Diwali. In this video, Kohli urged everyone to not burst crackers, protect the environment and have fun at home with loved ones.
However, the message to not burst crackers did not sit well with some social media users. Many users trolled the Indian skipper, calling him hypocritical. Many pointed out that Kohli doesn’t say anything when fireworks are used after the Final of a cricket tournament and is giving “gyan” as to how to celebrate festivals. Some users even pointed out that Kohli travels in a private jet which emits CO2 emissions. While, some netizens made personal remarks, some even trolled and dragged Kohli’s wife Anushka Sharma into this.
Kohli is not the first celebrity to be trolled for giving a green Diwali message. Actress Priyanka Chopra was trolled twice after she was seen in an anti-pollution campaign for Diwali years ago. The actress revealed that she was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 5. The first time the actress got trolled was a day after her marriage with Nick Jonas. On December 1, 2018, Priyanka got hitched to Jonas in Rajasthan. After the wedding, fireworks were lit up in the sky. Netizens immediately called out Priyanka for being hypocritical. The second time the actress got trolled was when pictures of Priyanka smoking a cigarette on a yacht went viral.
Even cricketer Yuvraj Singh wasn’t spared. India’s 2011 World Cup Hero was trolled after posting a video on his social media account, urging people to avoid indulging in bursting crackers. While trolling Yuvraj, many users said that celebrities tweet or post such videos (stop bursting crackers) only before Diwali. Many actors like Shraddha Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, among others have been trolled for the same. Sometimes social media users put memes to troll celebrities when they post such videos or messages, however, many use abusive language and term these celebrities as anti-Hindus for spreading such messages. Although, there are fans who have come out in support of these personalities, they too have been at the receiving end of similar abuses and trolls.
