Will fight to seek ICC approval: Usman Khawaja on ‘All lives are equal’ slogan on his shoes
Perth, Dec 13: Australia opener Usman Khawaja vowed to fight for his right to express humanitarian views on the field after ICC disallowed him from wearing written messages on his shoes, apparently with reference to the war in Gaza, when the first Test against Pakistan begins here on Thursday.
The charismatic cricketer of Pakistani origin had "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" clearly visible on his batting spikes during Tuesday's training session and was reportedly planning to wear them during the inaugural Test.
However, the ICC regulations prohibit such acts, and it was confirmed earlier on Wednesday that the 36-year-old batter will not wear those spikes.
In a video posted on 'X', titled, "All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights", Khawaja defended his action saying, "What I've written on my shoes is not political. I'm not taking sides.
"Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life and so on. I'm just speaking up for those who don't have a voice," said Khawaja.
Reportedly, Khawaja had not shared his decision to wear the spikes with the two messages with his teammates before training, and it got noticed later.
The cricketer has been posting messages on social media referring to the ongoing war in Gaza, which has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.
"For everyone who did get offended (with my act), somehow just ask yourself these questions. Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal? I'm not taking sides. I'm just speaking up for those who don't have a voice," said Khawaja.
"This is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls. What if this was them. My heart can't take it.
"The ICC have told me that I can't wear my shoes on field because they believe its a political statement under their guidelines. I don't believe it is so; it's a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their (ICC) view and decision. But I will fight it and seek to gain approval," he added.
In a statement Cricket Australia said on Wednesday that, "We support the right of our players to express personal opinions. But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold."
Australia skipper Pat Cummins said Khawaja will not wear those spikes during the Test.
"I spoke to him just quickly and (Khawaja) said he won't be (wearing those spikes)... I think what was on the shoes, 'all lives are equal', I support that," said Cummins.
In 2019, during a period of increased tensions with Pakistan, the India team was allowed to wear camouflage military-style caps in an ODI against Australia. India has said that the caps were a tribute to lives lost in a terror attack and the armed forces.
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta accuses Mamata Banerjee of stalling SIR; TMC hits back
Kolkata (PTI): Alleging that her West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had approached the Supreme Court to stall the SIR exercise to prevent the identification of infiltrators, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday claimed that the people of the state have made up their minds to dislodge the Trinamool Congress from power.
The TMC countered strongly, urging Gupta to "look into her own backyard" and accused her of making absurd allegations against the TMC government without checking facts.
Addressing participants at the 'Nari Sankalp Yatra' organised by the BJP's women's wing at Science City auditorium here, Gupta alleged that the "hands-off" and appeasement policies of the TMC government had allowed thousands of infiltrators to enter the state in recent years.
She claimed that this had put a strain on basic rights such as access to water, electricity, ration, education, livelihood and the right to vote for genuine citizens.
"She wants to perpetuate this and hence is trying to stall the SIR exercise, which aims at identifying and deporting infiltrators. Imagine a chief minister going to the apex court to argue against an exercise meant to ensure free and fair polls," Gupta said.
The BJP leader alleged that appeasement politics had reached an "alarming level" under the TMC regime.
Raising concerns over women's safety, she claimed that women in the state were not secure despite having a woman chief minister.
Referring to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Gupta alleged that the state government had failed to respond adequately to such crimes.
She also referred to the alleged rape of a woman medic in Durgapur and another law student on a Kolkata college campus, claiming that criminals had been emboldened to commit brutalities against women.
She alleged that in crimes against women, overall crime incidents and child marriages, West Bengal remained among the top -- "a slur on a state which once led intellectual and social movements and set examples for the rest of the country," she said.
Criticising the state government's welfare initiatives, she said schemes such as Kanyashree were built on "false claims" and asserted that women needed security rather than assurances.
Accusing the state government of blocking central schemes, Gupta alleged that funds worth "lakhs of crores of rupees" had not reached the poor due to non-implementation of programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission by the state.
"You are only interested in renaming projects and taking credit," she said.
Gupta also alleged that the education sector in the state had been adversely affected, saying several state-run schools had closed due to a shortage of teachers and that the government was opposed to the National Education Policy.
Drawing a comparison with BJP-ruled Delhi, Gupta said, "People have already voted out 'Bhaia' (a reference to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal). Now it is your turn to bid farewell to 'Didi'." Calling upon women to resist what she termed "strong-arm tactics", she urged them to assert their strength, invoking the imagery of Goddess Durga.
"Bengal has the right to live with dignity, and women have the right to live with dignity," she added.
Reacting to Gupta's allegations, West Bengal Women and Child Welfare minister Shashi Panja accused her of making "absurd allegations" against the Trinamool Congress government ahead of elections.
Panja alleged that during Gupta's tenure in Delhi, several incidents had raised serious concerns, including reports of missing young women and a blast near the Red Fort.
She also criticised the air pollution situation in the national capital, claiming that people were struggling to breathe.
The TMC leader said that despite being in power for a year, Gupta was making "tall claims" instead of addressing key issues in Delhi.
Panja further alleged that the Delhi CM visited West Bengal during elections to "peddle false allegations" against the state government.
Rebutting Gupta, the TMC said in a post on X said, "Madam why did you go off-script again? For your edification, here are the cold, hard facts: In total cases of crimes (IPC + SLL), Bengal ranks a respectable 15th, far safer than BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which languish near the bottom."
"In overall crime rate, Bengal sits comfortably at 28th. Who's second? Your own Delhi. Double Engine Gujarat and Haryana grab 4th and 5th as top-tier crime havens," the TMC said.
"In child marriage, Assam again takes the shameful pole position. And yet you dare lecture Bengal? Stop embarrassing yourself, stop the hypocrisy, and maybe fix the rotting mess in your own backyard before pointing fingers at a state that's outperforming your disasters on every key metric," the TMC countered.
