In a recent development that has reignited one of cricket’s most controversial incidents, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has responded to the resurfacing of the infamous “Slapgate” video. The footage, which depicts Harbhajan slapping fellow cricketer Sreesanth during the 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, was released by former IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Michael Clarke‘s podcast, “Beyond23.”
The Resurfacing of the Incident
The “Slapgate” incident occurred during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, when Harbhajan, playing for Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth, a player for Kings XI Punjab, during a post-match handshake. At the time, the television broadcast cut to a commercial break, and viewers only saw Sreesanth in tears, leading to widespread speculation about the events that transpired. The release of the previously unseen footage has brought the incident back into the public eye after nearly two decades.
Now, former India star Farokh Engineer, who was the match referee in the game, has broken his silence on the video release.
“I’m surprised that the footage has emerged after all these years. As match referee for that particular match, I maintained confidentiality throughout and didn’t speak about the contents of the incident even to the best of my friends in the media,” Engineer told Mid-day.
“I had a job to do as match referee and I believe I did it [well] with dignified silence. It’s a thing of the past and I’m sure both players have long buried their differences. Like many other things in cricket, it was done in the heat of the moment. Harbhajan is a good friend. We move on.”
Harbhajan’s Response
In response to the video’s release, Harbhajan expressed regret over the incident, stating, “I feel bad for whatever happened. We were playing, and everyone had things going on in their mind. Mistakes happened, and we do feel ashamed about it,” Harbhajan admitted.
“Yes, the video has gone viral. It was an unfortunate incident, and I have said on many occasions that I made a mistake. Humans make mistakes, and I did one too. I have requested Lord Ganesh to forgive me if I make a mistake again. Mistakes happen,” he added. He acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the event and reiterated that he had apologized to Sreesanth multiple times since then. Harbhajan also criticized the manner in which the video was released, suggesting that it was done with “selfish motives” and that such footage should not have been made public after so long.
Reacting strongly, Harbhajan accused Lalit Modi of acting out of personal interest by releasing the footage after so many years. “The way the video has been leaked, it’s wrong. It shouldn’t have happened. They might have a selfish motive behind it. Something that happened 18 years ago, people have forgotten, and they are reminding people about it,” Harbhajan told Instant Bollywood.
Reactions from Sreesanth’s Family
The release of the video has also drawn criticism from Sreesanth’s family. His wife, Bhuvneshwari, condemned the act as “inhumane,” expressing that it was hurtful to their family and accusing Modi and Clarke of exploiting the past for attention.
Lalit Modi’s Defense
Lalit Modi defended the release of the footage, stating that he was merely answering a question truthfully during the podcast. He emphasized that he had addressed the issue at the time by penalising Harbhajan and that the release of the video was not intended to cause harm.
Meanwhile, Lalit Modi has responded to criticism from S. Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, after she slammed him.
“I don’t know why she (Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded,” Lalit Modi told IANS.
The resurfacing of the “Slapgate” video has sparked a wide range of reactions from the public and media. Some have expressed support for Harbhajan, acknowledging his apology and the passage of time, while others have questioned why he did not apologize earlier. The incident has reignited debates about accountability, forgiveness, and the ethics of releasing sensitive footage years after the fact.
Conclusion
The release of the “Slapgate” video has reopened a chapter in Indian cricket history that many believed had been closed. While Harbhajan’s apology and acknowledgment of his mistake have been noted, the manner in which the footage was made public continues to be a point of contention. As the cricketing community reflects on the incident, it serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding public figures, accountability, and the lasting impact of actions both on and off the field.
