But it is also no secret that to this day Indians often find themselves at the receiving end of racial hatred in foreign lands. The difference between yesterday and today, however, is that thanks to a booming economy and improved education, Indian self-esteem has increased to the extent that most Indians have stopped internalising racial subordination. That is why when last year Shilpa Shetty became the target of racial hatred in the Big Brother house, Indians across the world stood behind her in support, regardless of how well-informed Shilpa was to interpret her own experiences there. And that is also why Team India now “gives it back” to the Australian team who are notorious for sledging practices.

To put all of this in perspective of the row that sparked off in Sydney, then, is to say that if Harbhajan Singh has indeed called Andrew Symonds a monkey, it is not an act of racism but one of sledging and counter-sledging. The incident, in other words, must be addressed in that context alone.

It is a heartening sign of social progress to note that several Australians have spoken up against Ponting’s bullying ways. To take to task “one’s own” in the interest of a higher principle, in the interest of truth and justice, is indeed honourable. But then, cricket has always meant to be the game for gentlemen, although perhaps Ponting and his supporters seem dismissive of that bit of history as well.

The writer is a Mumbai-based academic patel1nandita@yahoo.ca