At first, we used to think that a woman’s achievements are always undermined while her physical appearance and relationship status are what gain more importance. But when Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, we realised that this tendency is not just limited to women. Remember how Times Now journalist Navika Kumar constantly asked Neeraj Chopra about getting female attention, marriage and romantic prospects while he kept on saying his entire focus was on improving his game?
And now, Manu Bhaker, the Indian shooter who scripted history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning two bronze medals, is going through the same. Journalist Rohan Dua, the Executive Editor of The New Indian, in an interview with Manu Bhaker, questioned her about her dynamics with Neeraj Chopra. He also called her “one of the most attractive females, beautiful females in India’s history of Olympics or this sport.”
“The photos when they went viral with that of Neeraj, I am not too sure, I mean, whether you look at this as a compliment, but of course, you are one of the most attractive females, beautiful females in India’s history of Olympics or this sport, particularly. Are we right to assume that there was some chemistry, or I mean, it was just that he wanted to snap it as one of the moments in which just someone clicked it?” journalist Rohan Dua asked her during the interview.
While hearing his question, Manu Bhaker kept a straight face and answered, “It goes back to the year 2018, so we have been meeting in some events or some competitions starting in 2018. So, in 2019 we did a shoot together. So I think it’s like we just talk whenever we meet in any competition or event. And he is one of the best athletes we have in the country. So he is like, for me also, it’s like, okay, we talk and then about experiences, how the match was, so everything like that.”
Clips from the interview have gone viral on social media and people have been criticizing the journalist for trying to hunt for gossip, discuss her personal life and undermine her achievement. Here’s what some had to say:
‘Serious journalist’ Rohan Dua is also seriously creepy. Here he calls Manu Bhaker “one of the most attractive and beautiful females in India’s history of Olympics” (whatever that means) while asking about Neeraj Chopra (also inappropriate)
How’s he gonna blame Zubair for this? pic.twitter.com/IDrrt87bBm
— Shinjinee Majumder (@shinjineemjmdr) August 16, 2024
This reporter rohan dua is a pervert.
Manu bhaker won bronze for india in Olympics but rohan dua is explaining how beautiful and attractive she is.
There should be no place for perverts like rohan dua in media.
Utterly shameful ?pic.twitter.com/lDNV5Ym9Oe
— Dr Nimo Yadav Commentary (@niiravmodi) August 16, 2024
Manu Bhaker facing what Neeraj Chopra faced in 2021. pic.twitter.com/ewAeZbsvOV
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) August 15, 2024
Two medals at the Olympics? Sure.
Rohan Dua, meanwhile: “You are one of the most attractive females – beautiful females – in India’s history of Olympics.” pic.twitter.com/UWZ7va65kF
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) August 16, 2024
you remember 4 years back there was one of the radio stations who did a show with neeraj c, was totally cringeworthy. we haven’t improved since
— akhil (@akhilsethi) August 16, 2024
She is like “bas kar Bhai” pic.twitter.com/GKQGskEEiV
— Mukesh (@mikejava85) August 16, 2024
Manu expression are like – I wish I had my pistol rn
— Desi Batman (@Akshay_Yadav010) August 16, 2024
no matter what a woman achieves at the end of the day men like him will boil it all down to her looks…
— A? (@aadirenaline) August 16, 2024
Journalism has been replaced by bloggism,reel level questions being asked to Manu Bhaker.
Interviews should only be done after doing research about the game and key facts about athlete that can motivate the young mass— Anuj (@Anuj_utkala) August 15, 2024
her face said it all?
they need to stop treating athletes like bollywood celebs?
— Deepak (@itsdpkk) August 15, 2024
This “National crush” drama is the worst. She worked years to earn success in her sport and now people are appreciating her for her beauty. An artist wants his/her art to be appreciated and a sportsperson wants his/her sport.
— Tarkwadi (@biryani_elaichi) August 16, 2024
With this attitude we aim to become a sporting nation. We should be happy with 5-6 medals. With this mindset that also we don’t deserve
— K Shashank (@KShashankIndian) August 15, 2024
Looks like they are hiring Bollywood gossip column writers as news channel anchors these days.
Pathetic questions from Indian media.
Sadly, all established news channels seem to have lapped up Twitter gossip and peddled it as news.— Jyoti Naik (@jyotinaik1123) August 15, 2024
Manu Bhaker is the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal. She is also the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single Olympic Games. But the journalist in question placed more importance on how Manu Bhaker is allegedly the most attractive female athlete in India’s history at the Olympics.
The article containing the interview has a very interesting headline as well – “Manu Bhaker shares her love interest, Paris moments, school Math she hated” – placing “love interest” before “Paris moments”.
Such questions reduce an athlete to their physical appearance and overshadow their achievements.