Former cricketer Yograj Singh has sparked a major controversy with his recent comments about Hindi-speaking people, claiming that the language is “unmanly” and “lacks energy.”
In an interview with Samdish Bhatia on Unfiltered, the father of legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh remarked, “When men speak Hindi, it feels like, ‘Kaun bol raha hai, kaisa aadmi hai?’ (Who is speaking, what kind of man is he?)” He also mimicked Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, contrasting their speech with Punjabi, which he described as a “manly” language. Yograj, known for his outspoken nature, also made controversial remarks about women in positions of power, stating, “A wife will destroy your house if you give her power. Sorry to say, Indira Gandhi ran this country and destroyed it. Give them respect and love, but never give them power.”
In another shocking claim, Yograj admitted that he once wanted to kill Kapil Dev after the captain of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team dropped him from the national squad. His comments have generated widespread backlash on social media, with both fans and critics condemning his inflammatory statements.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed outrage, writing, “The way Yograj Singh has mocked Hindi is unacceptable.” Another netizen condemned his remarks as misogynistic, calling them an insult to the millions who speak and value the language. “Yograj Singh’s comment labeling Hindi as ‘the language of women’ is not just misogynistic, but also an insult to those who cherish the language. Such views reflect a regressive mindset, undermining both women and India’s linguistic heritage. It’s important for journalists to call out such rhetoric that perpetuates gender stereotypes and derails meaningful conversations about language and culture,” the user stated.
Yograj Singh made his international debut for India on December 21, 1980, against Australia in an ODI match under the captaincy of Sunil Gavaskar. His international career spanned just over three months, during which he played one Test and six ODIs for India.
