Twitter erupts after Pakistan ad mocks IAF pilot Abhinandan ahead of India World Cup clash

After a Pakistan TV channel telecast an advertisement mocking IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman Indian fans on social media have gone crazy and termed it as racist and insensitive. The advertisement shows a character impersonating Abhinandan while an interrogator asks him cricket related questions.

In the 33-second video, the character can be seen sipping tea from a cup just like Abhinandan’s did while in captive. The character sports Abhinandan’s signature handlebar beard and replies his famous answer, “I am sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this.” Ever since the video was released it has gone viral on social media with people reacting to it differently.

A Twitter user wrote, “Abhinandan’s Capture Mocked in Racist Pakistani Ad For World Cup Clash Against India.” While another user wrote, “Abhinandan’s Capture Mocked in Racist #Pakistani Ad For World Cup Clash Against #India. This is how #racism, #nationalism and #sports combines to produce toxic outcomes. Entirely unnecessary. #CWC2019.”

Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured in Pakistan after his Mig 21 bison aircraft was shot down by Pakistan Air Force. The incident happened a day after India conducted a cross-border strike on alleged terrorist camp. The strike was in retaliation of Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF jawans in Jammu & Kashmir.

India will play its arch-rival Pakistan on June 16 at Old Trafford, Manchester and a fun trivia about the clash is that the men in blue have never lost a World Cup match against Pakistan.

Also read: Pakistan 'racist' ad mocks IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman before India clash; see video