Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has emphatically denied rumours that he intends to seek Indian citizenship, asserting that such claims are baseless.
Now settled in the United States with his family, Kaneria said he is proud of his Pakistani citizenship — even as he acknowledged having faced discrimination and pressure throughout his career.
Who is Danish Kaneria?
Born on 16 December 1980 in Karachi, Kaneria is among the few Hindu cricketers to have played for Pakistan’s national team.
A right-arm leg-spinner, he represented Pakistan from 2000 to 2010 — appearing in 61 Test matches and 18 ODIs — and claimed 261 Test wickets in his career.
His domestic and county cricket stints, notably in England with Essex, further cemented his reputation as a skilled spinner.
However, his career has also been mired in controversy: in particular, Kaneria was banned for life by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in relation to a spot-fixing allegation.
The Recent Controversy & Clarification
In recent days, Kaneria found himself at the center of speculation after making sympathetic remarks about internal affairs in India and speaking in praise of certain ideologies.
Some critics alleged that his comments were part of a hidden motive: securing an Indian passport.
To quell the rumours, Kaneria took to X (formerly Twitter) with a candid post: Lately, I have seen many people questioning me — asking why I do not speak about Pakistan, why I comment on Bharat’s internal matters — and some even alleging that I do all this for Bharatiya citizenship.
I feel it is important to set the record straight.”
He thanked the people of Pakistan for their love and support (often referring to them as awam), but did not shy away from admitting the darker side of his experience:
From Pakistan and its people, I have received much … but alongside that love, I also faced deep discrimination from Pakistani authorities and the PCB, including attempts of forced conversion.”
Kaneria then addressed the citizenship rumours head-on: Regarding Bharat and its citizenship, let me be absolutely clear.
Pakistan may be my Janmabhoomi (birthplace), but Bharat, the land of my ancestors, is my Matrubhumi. For me, Bharat is like a temple.
At present, I have no plans to seek Bharatiya citizenship. If in the future someone like me chooses to do so, the CAA is already in place for people like us.”
To those worried about his safety, he offered a spiritual reassurance: To those concerned for my safety, with the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram, I am safe and happy with my family. My fate rests in the hands of Lord Ram.”
Kaneria also reaffirmed his commitment to certain causes, pledging to expose anti-nationals and pseudo-secularists whom he believes are harming social cohesion and cultural ethos.
What This Means & Reactions
Kaneria’s statement underscores the complex interplay between identity, nationality, and minority rights.
His claim of facing discrimination from the state and cricket authorities adds weight to long-standing narratives about religious bias in Pakistani institutions.
His invocation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) — which provides a legal pathway for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh to acquire Indian citizenship — signals that he is aware of, and perhaps open to, the possibility, but not actively pursuing it now.
The broader public and media reaction has been mixed: some view his comments as a bold assertion of his cultural roots; others question the motives and timing.
Regardless, the clarification seeks to quiet speculation about his political or citizenship ambitions.
#DanishKaneria #Pakistan #India #Citizenship #Discrimination #CAA #Cricket #Identity #MinorityRights #SocialJustice
