There has been a lot of outrage about statements made by cricketer Hardik Pandya on the chat show Koffee with Karan, with demands that he apologise for the same. I put it to you that he should not have to apologise for his statements. Does Pandya come across as an objectionable creep who objectifies women? Certainly. In fact he comes across as shallow and a rather sorry excuse for a human being in the interview. But should he be made to apologise for this. In a word, No. Here’s why:
In case you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know exactly what people are shocked and horrified about, here is a short collection of his ‘offensive’ statements. Pandya is dressed like a wannabe rapper from the hood, but let’s leave aside the bling and the deafening jacket. He seems to have certain preconceived notions about people from the Caribbean and seems to identify with them. He clearly sees himself as a ‘player’ and says a number of highly cringe-worthy things.
Pandya is not an elected representative or community leader who is supposed to live a morally upright, exemplary life. He is a sportsperson and his job is to entertain India’s cricket loving public. Period.
I disagree with those who feel that Hardik Pandya should be more responsible because he is a role model for many. He didn’t ask to be a role model. Yes, as a decent human being he should be respectful of women… everyone should be; not just him.
Pandya clearly has no idea that his words make him come across as ignorant and exceedingly conceited in the interview. Though he clearly objectifies women and views them as conquests, this attitude seems to arise from immaturity rather than actual viciousness.
He tells us about his ‘cool’ family; parents who apparently applaud his womanising ways. He and his family clearly have a rather muddled idea of what constitutes cool, or progressive or open-minded or whatever.
In the interview, Karan Johar and K L Rahul are tittering along with Pandya in disbelief and admiration. They are egging him on to be more outrageous, more shocking. He is obliging. Much of what he says seems highly exaggerated; said for effect.
It is a self-indulgent chat show featuring a coterie of self-absorbed people who tell in-jokes and make snarky comments about others. The more sensational, the better! (That is Kamlesh in the picture, in case you want to know.)
This show is supposed to be outrageous and tacky and superficial. Pandya was exactly that on the show that required him to be titillating and shallow.
Pandya is objectionable, even revolting in that interview. We are free to think so. We are free even to be offended by his words and attitudes. We are not however, entitled to an apology from him… that is about the imposition of political correctness of some upon others.
Even if you think of Pandya as a really awful person rather than merely a boastful and misguided one, being asshole isn’t a crime. Just because he is a famous cricketer doesn’t mean he has to be held up to a higher standard of behavior than other men. Lots of men are assholes and most of them go through life never apologising.
He was issued a notice, he apologised publicly. If Pandya genuinely realised the error of his ways, great! Otherwise he will merrily continue with his philandering, his stalking and the use-and-throw attitude to women in general. So what really, is the point of extracting an apology such as this?
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