Harbhajan Singh slams Kamran Akmal for disrespecting Sikhs over 12 O’ Clock joke; Know what history behind the joke is-

On Monday, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh slammed former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal for disrespecting Arshdeep Singh’s religion during India vs. Pakistan match on June 9. In the viral video, Akmal—who was part of a panel on ARY News—made a controversial remark and laughed with other panellists.

harbhajan singh arshdeep singh 12 baje sikhs kamran akmal

“Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal.. You should know the history of Sikhs before u open ur filthy mouth. We Sikhs saved ur mothers and sisters when they were abducted by invaders, the time invariably was 12 o’clock . Shame on you guys.. Have some Gratitude,” Harbhajan Singh wrote on X.

Soon after Singh criticised the viral video, Kamran Akmal issued an apology. “I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology,” Akmal wrote on X.

Notably, in the viral video, Kamran Akmal was heard saying, “Kuch bhi ho sakta hai… Dekhe last over karna Arshdeep Singh ne hai. Waise uska rhythm nahi laga. 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. Arshdeep Singh will bowl in the last over; he hasn’t looked in a great rhythm. And It is already 12).”

But what is the history behind the 12 O' clock jokes?

The real reason behind the Sikh 12 o’clock association comes from Nadir Shah’s invasion of India. In the 1700s, his troops passed through Punjab after plundering Delhi and massacring thousands of Hindus and Muslims and taking women captive along the way.

The Sikhs strategised to attack Shah’s camp and free the captive women. But since they were grossly outnumbered by his huge army, the Sikhs refrained from a frontal attack. Instead, they used to attack them with midnight guerrilla raids on their settlements and free as many women as they could, and return them to safety.

Over the years, jokes started to spread that the Sikhs are in their senses only at midnight, gave rise to the now common derogatory brand of Sikh jokes with the baarah baje theme. However, one needs to remember that if it weren’t for the Sikhs, countless Indian women would’ve been dishonoured and exiled.

Therefore, Harbhajan Singh has every right to scold the former Pakistani cricket.