Former India captain Kapil Dev has found himself in hot waters after claiming that “pressure” and “depression” are “American words” and that he doesn’t understand those.
Speaking at an event organised by Aakash Institute, the World Cup-winning captain came up with a casual take on mental health issues. The video which was posted on October 8th has been going viral on social media and Dev is facing a lot of criticism for it. The 63-year-old suggested players not play in the Indian T20 League if the pressure is too much to handle for them. In his suggestive remarks, however, it seems the former cricketer went too far and called mental health issues, a fad.
“People say there is a lot of pressure when they are playing Indian T20 Legaue. I can only tell them one thing, ‘don’t play’. These ‘American words’ have come, be it pressure or depression. I don’t understand this. If you are passionate, there shouldn’t be any pressure,” said Dev at the event.
Archaic views on corporal punishment
Dev did not just stop there; he went on to speak against corporal punishment as well. He compared the education system in his time to that of today’s claiming it was much tougher in those times and that children these days have it easy.
“I went to a school, where the students of 10th and 11th grades were telling me that they were under a lot of pressure. So I asked them, ‘oh, so you are also under pressure?’ You study in AC schools, your parents pay your fees, your teachers can’t lay their hands on you, and still you are under pressure?” he says at the event following rapturous applause from the audience.
“To understand pressure, you have to look back to our time. Our teachers used to slap us first and then ask questions. Today, can these students even be touched by their teachers? So how are they feeling the pressure,” asks Dev in what could be termed as a legitimisation of corporal punishment.
Soon social media started buzzing seeing an important personality coming up with archaic views on grave societal issues.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Kapil Dev’s casual take on mental health issues:
Disappointing from Kapil Dev. So out of touch with reality. What’s more worrying is the laughs and applause that follow. https://t.co/USmUEiXYZE
— Darren Caldeira (@darrencaldeira) October 9, 2022
Classic gaslighting from Kapil Dev here.
I don't understand something and therefore it doesn't exist.
Also,it seems that Depression is an American word and India k mardangi se bhare logon ko kahan hota hai depression. https://t.co/w3bbDjx6ow
— Akash Kumar Jha (@Akashkumarjha14) October 9, 2022
Here's a clip of Kapil Dev making zero sense. Zilch. Nada.
And those clapping are mostly Aakash Institute faculty members. Honestly, don't expect any better, having been on the unfortunate ride. Its profs feed off your fear, laugh at your weaknesses.pic.twitter.com/frIxpy1ojr
— Santadeep Dey (@SantadeepDey) October 9, 2022
Kapil Dev dismissing depression like it doesn’t exist is one thing. The crowd cheering and laughing speaks volumes of this country’s understanding of mental health. It’s the same people who say, “It’s just in your head.” https://t.co/jNu16yfDQW
— Mirza Arif Beg (@Iammirzaarif) October 10, 2022
Sorry Mr.Kapil Dev. We love you but you are not right here. Pressure and depression are realities among normal appearing children and adults. Pls do not trivialise or brush it under the carpet. @askdheeraj https://t.co/D78VtNH88N
— Dr Srinivas Chilukuri (@DrSrinivas_C) October 10, 2022
If Kapil Dev doesn't understand the word "depression", he should count himself very lucky. https://t.co/1YzOWCtCC6
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) October 9, 2022
The ever-great Kapil Dev has dangerously erred in his analysis of "stress" and "depression" as felt by youngsters (10-30 yrs) of today.
His simplistic transposition of his era's experiences to today's, is misleading and wrong.
Stress and depression today are medical issues.
— Sandeep Manudhane (@sandeep_PT) October 10, 2022
This is just horrible.
And look at all those boomers, cheering and clapping as Kapil Dev makes light of mental health issues, or the idea of pressure on school children. https://t.co/TZcwLOXzHR— B.H.Harsh (@film_waala) October 9, 2022
Re: the video that everyone is sharing
Kapil Dev is one of India's greatest sportspersons. Ever.
He is not, however, a mental health professional.Words matter.
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) October 9, 2022
So disappointing to see a legend like Kapil Dev mocking depression in such a cavalier and crude manner.
I want to know what his frame of mind was when he broke into tears on Karan Thapar's show following match-fixing allegations against him? #KapilDev pic.twitter.com/N6QQmsLEq5
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) October 9, 2022
