Dhaka, Apr 16 (V7N) – Shakib Al Hasan, widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the world and the greatest cricketer in Bangladesh’s history, has spoken out about his controversial role during the anti-discrimination movement in July and August of last year.

In a recent interview with a local English daily, Shakib reflected on his silent stance during a period of intense public unrest, a move that led to widespread criticism. The controversy deepened when a picture of Shakib visiting a safari park in Canada was posted by his wife, Shishir, at a time when the country was embroiled in political turmoil.

Shakib, who had been playing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States and later in Canada, admitted that the timing of the picture was unfortunate. "As a public figure, I should have been more careful," he said. “I was away from the country and didn’t realize the gravity of the situation back home. I didn’t post the picture myself, but I take full responsibility for it."

The public's anger towards Shakib intensified, with many questioning his silence during the movement. The situation escalated when Shakib engaged in a confrontation with a fan in Canada, who asked why he was not speaking out about the unrest in Bangladesh. Shakib explained the exchange: "I asked him, 'What did you do, brother?' That led to a bigger issue. I was confused at the time and didn’t understand what would be effective."

Reflecting on his decision to remain silent, Shakib explained, "I believe in taking responsibility and working to bring about change. Empty talk wouldn’t help, and I didn’t think posting something would make a real difference. I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire."

Despite the criticism, Shakib emphasized that he did not intend to ignore the political climate, but rather, he was uncertain about how his actions could contribute to the movement. He further expressed regret about the impact his actions had on the public, acknowledging that he should have been more aware of the consequences.

Shakib's silence on social media and in public forums during a crucial time in Bangladesh's political landscape remains a topic of debate, with many still questioning whether his actions were a mistake. However, in his latest statements, he reiterated the need for more action rather than empty words in times of crisis.

END/MSS/AJ