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
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sharad Pawar praised RSS after seeing how it burst fake narrative balloon of LS polls: Fadnavis
Nagpur, Jan 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar praised the RSS after realising how the outfit managed to overcome the fake narrative spread by the opposition in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The opposition had claimed BJP wanted to win 400 seats to change the Constitution and end reservations, a narrative which BJP leaders later claimed hit the party hard.
On Pawar praising the RSS recently, the CM said the MVA was successful in creating a fake narrative during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
"When assembly polls were approaching, many people from diverse fields who are inspired by the RSS played their role and burst the balloon of this fake narrative. Sharad Pawar saheb is very intelligent. He would have certainly studied this aspect. He realised that this (RSS) is not a regular political power but a nationalist power. In any competition it is good to praise others," he added.
That is why Pawar may have praised the RSS, Fadnavis said.
Speaking at an interaction with senior editor Vivek Ghalsasi at Late Vilasji Fadnis Jivhala programme here, Fadnavis also said he had asked for organisational work when Eknath Shinde was made chief minister in June 2022, but senior leaders asked him to join the government.
He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him not to behave like an extra-constitutional authority in the government.
He said the decision to become deputy chief minister on the command of the party leadership earned him a lot of praise from the cadre.
After the massive mandate the ruling alliance received in the 2024 assembly polls, Fadnavis said people and party workers would not have been happy if the CM was not from the BJP.
Shinde himself agreed within minutes that the CM must be from the BJP, which itself got 132 seats and was close to a majority of its own in the 288-member assembly, he added.
On Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray meeting him during the winter sessions of the legislature in Nagpur, Fadnavis said he had announced he would not indulge in politics of revenge after becoming CM and all leaders responded positively to it.
On chances of the NCP (SP) and NCP coming closer or reuniting, Fadnavis said, "If you see the developments that took place from 2019 to 2024, I realised never say never and anything can happen. Uddhav Thackeray goes to some other party and Ajit Pawar comes to us. In politics anything can happen though I am not saying this should happen."
He praised BJP leader Arun Gujarati from whom he learnt patience, which he claimed was an important quality in politics along with the ability to take criticism.
In a lighter vein, he said, "I only get angry when I am hungry. If you see me angry then give me something to eat and my anger will go away."
