Mumbai, March 11 Actor and politician Khushboo Sundar, while speaking to IANS, has reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding the World Cup trophy being taken to a temple after India's historic win against the New Zealand national cricket team on March 8th.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Khushboo shared her strong views on the debate and emphasized that the trophy belongs to the entire nation.
She added that it should be seen as a moment of pride for India rather than through a religious lens.
"I don't understand why one needs to say more about their thoughts than about winning the trophy. You thank Allah, thank Bhagwan, you thank Jesus for winning the trophy. You should actually just also bow to God in gratitude that our Indian team has won the trophy again," said Khushboo.
She added, "I don't think there's anything wrong if you go to a temple or church with the trophy. When Sanju Samson won, he sat down and prayed by making the cross sign on his heart. I respect him and bow to him. That reflects his thoughts as a cricketer."
"When we won the trophy, our captain Surya Kumar took soil from the ground and put it on his head. That may not be written in the Constitution, but it reflects our thoughts and emotions that as Indians, India comes first," she added.
She further said, "Anyone can have their own religion. But the trophy that they have won is for India, for their country, for the nation. That is the biggest thing."
The politician further stated, "If people want to argue that someone went to a temple, mosque or church with the trophy, I would say their thinking is very small. The trophy is for India. It is a matter of pride for the country that we have the trophy."
For those unfamiliar, India won the ICC men's T20 World Cup on March 8th in a thrilling match against New Zealand.
The match was held at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.