Vineet Jindal claimed Zainab posted "derogatory tweets"
Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas has left India amid backlash over alleged “derogatory” posts on social media.
Zainab was part of the ICC’s digital team covering the 2023 World Cup.
She was due to travel to Bengaluru, Chennai and Ahmedabad for Pakistan’s other matches.
But she left the country on October 9, 2023, amid reports that she was forced to go.
An ICC spokesperson refuted the claims and said:
“Zainab has not been deported, she has left for personal reasons.”
She received backlash after an Indian lawyer lodged a police complaint against her over her alleged historic tweets.
Vineet Jindal claimed Zainab posted “derogatory tweets”, mocking India.
He posted screenshots of posts.
While one of the screenshots was of a 2019 post by Zainab Abbas, it is unclear if she made the other posts.
In the 2019 post, Zainab referred to Kashmir being contested by India and Pakistan.
She wrote: “Eid Mubarak to all. The true spirit of this Eid is sacrifice and we must remember the sacrifices by the people of Kashmir for their right of self-determination.
“It is time for the world to stand for what is right. Have a blessed one.”
Complaint against @ZAbbasOfficial filed by Advocate & Social Activist @vineetJindal19 with cyber cell Delhi Police.Requesting to lodge FIR under section 153A,295,506,121 IPC and sec67 IT Act for making derogatory remarks for Hindu faith and beliefs and for anti -Bharat… https://t.co/vctiV98wBT pic.twitter.com/f9C6I0OMuD
— Adv.Vineet Jindal (@vineetJindal19) October 5, 2023
The other screenshots had a different social media handle but Mr Jindal claimed it was one of Zainab’s “unofficial” accounts.
Mr Jindal quote posted a tweet which said “there was always intrigue on what lies on the other side”, referring to India.
The post read: “There was always intrigue on what lies on the other side, more cultural similarities than differences, rivals on the field but camaraderie off the field, the same language and love for art and a country with a billion people, here to represent, to create content and bring in expertise from the best in the business.
“Humbled to be presenting in India at the Cricket WC 2023 for the @ICC again, a journey away from home of 6 weeks starts now.”
Mr Jindal also claimed Zainab left India to avoid legal action.
He previously wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, seeking Zainab’s removal as an ICC presenter.
While Zainab Abbas is facing backlash in India, Pakistani citizens are defending her and questioning the legitimacy of the posts.
Pakistani journalist Rizwan Ghilzai said Zainab had a “safe exit”.
He tweeted: “She has been facing threats in India over her social media posts.
“Sad that @ICC couldn’t protect its presenter.”
A sports journalist and commentator since 2015, Zainab Abbas became the first female sports reporter and commentator in 2019 to cover the cricket World Cup from Pakistan.
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