A group representing Indian Australians has expressed surprise over the three Test ban against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for allegedly calling Australian batsman Andrew Symonds a monkey during the just concluded Sydney cricket Test.
Sydney, Jan.7 : A group representing Indian Australians has expressed surprise over the three Test ban against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for allegedly calling Australian batsman Andrew Symonds a "monkey" during the just concluded Sydney cricket Test.
The Sydney-based United Indian Association (UIA) expressed deep concern over the punitive action, saying that the word "monkey" should not be seen as racist at all.
"Considering that the Monkey God is one of the revered idols of Hindu mythology and worshipped by millions, it is surprising it was considered a racist term," UIA president Raj Natarajan said in a statement.
"Even more surprising is that the word 'monkey' is considered by the match referee serious enough to slap a three-match ban on Harbhajan Singh," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.
UIA members felt the Australian team behaved in an unsporting way during Australia's 122-run win over India in the second test at the SCG yesterday.
The UIA represents various migrant community groups of Indian origin in Australia.
ANI