Laxman Sivaramakrishnan says he faced racism throughout his life

Former India cricketer Laxman
Sivaramakrishnan on Sunday alleged that he has been a victim of racism because
of the black colour of his skin.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who played 9 Tests
and 16 ODIs for India, took to Twitter to write, “I have been criticised and
colour discriminated all my life, so it doesn’t bother me anymore. This
unfortunately happens in our own country.”

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Laxman was responding to a tweet that
criticised online troll targeted at commentators. “For all the criticism they
get about their comm (comments) people like @Laxmansivarama1 sound so good when
they r talking about spinners. The little nuances, finer aspects and
technicalities of spin they talk r excellent points for any young spinner or
coaches to listen.”

Of late, Indian cricketers have been vocal
about facing racism. In August 2017, India and Tamil Nadu opener, Abhinav
Mukund had raised this issue on social media.

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In a statement posted on his Twitter page,
Mukund, who featured in seven Test matches for India, had said, “I am writing
today not to garner sympathy or attention but with the hope to change the
mindset of people on an issue I feel strongly about. I have been travelling a
lot within and outside our country since I was 15. Ever since I was young,
people’s obsession with my skin colour has always been a mystery to me”.

“Anyone who follows cricket would
understand the obvious. I have played and trained day in and day out in the sun
and not even once have I regretted the fact that I have tanned or lost a couple
of shades.

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“It is simply because I love what I do and
I have been able to achieve certain things only because I have spent hours
outdoors. I come from Chennai probably one of the hottest places in the country
and I have gladly spent most of my adult life in the cricket ground,” he
further wrote.

In 2020, former India fast bowler Dodda
Ganesh also had revealed the moment when he had faced racism.

“This story of @mukundabhinav reminded me
of the racial jibes I went through in my playing days. Only an Indian legend
was witness to it. It only made me strong & didn’t deter me from playing
for India & over 100 matches for Karnataka,” Dodda Ganesh had said on
social media.

Dodda Ganesh said when it happened he was
not aware of racism and he wishes no Indian go through ‘such ordeal’ in the
future.

“Well TBH, I didn’t even know the
seriousness of racism back then in the 90s. And there was no platform to
express it as well. Hope no Indian in the future goes through such ordeal,” he
said.