Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came out in support of Indian men’s cricket team captain Virat Kohli after his nine-month-old daughter  was targeted with rape threats on social media. “Forgive them. Protect the team,” Gandhi said in a tweet on Tuesday. 

Social media users issued rape threats against Kohli and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma’s daughter after the former slammed trolls for pinpointing teammate Mohammad Shami’s performance against Pakistan due to his religious background.

“Dear Virat, These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them. Protect the team,” Gandhi tweeted. 

India suffered a 10-wicket loss against Pakistan in their opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Social media trolls targetted Shami for conceding 43 runs in 3.5 overs, prompting a strong-worded condemnation from Kohli.

Also read: Ex-cricketers, politicians defend Shami amid online abuse after Pak loss

“To me, attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do,” Kohli had said, adding that he personally could never think of “discriminating someone over their religion” because that is a very “personal and sacred thing to every human being and that should be left there.” 

The Delhi Commission for Women sent a notice to Delhi Police asking for ‘action taken updates on the probe into the stomach-churning and horrific threats against Kohli’s daughter’.

“The team has made us proud thousands of times, why this silliness in defeat?”

Also read: Mohammad Azharuddin critical of Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli after New Zealand defeat

“If no accused has been arrested, please provide the details of steps taken by Delhi Police to arrest the accused,” the notice read.

“We’re playing on the field, we’re not a bunch of spineless people on social media. This has become a source of entertainment for some people which is very sad. All this drama created on the outside is based on people’s frustrations,” Kohli had said.

“We stand by him 200 per cent. Our brotherhood in the team cannot be shaken.”

Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, had shown support to Mohammed Shami too. 

“Mohammad Shami we are all with you. These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them,” he tweeted.