Saurav Ganguly’s comments received a backlash and days later, protests against the Kolkata rape-murder case broke out and his DP turned black

Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly changed his profile picture on social media to black, joining thousands of social media users in doing the same to express solidarity with the intern doctor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who was raped and killed.

As protests continue across the country demanding justice for the dead intern, another online movement has begun urging people to change their display pictures (DP in tech lingo) to black.

A few days ago, Ganguly’s comments on the security situation in Kolkata in the backdrop of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor had drawn condemnation from some.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the crime and one person has been arrested so far.

“I don’t know how my words last Sunday will be interpreted. I have said before that (this crime) is a horrible thing. Now the CBI (and) police are investigating the matter. What happened is very shameful,” Ganguly said.

“I hope that the CBI, which is investigating the matter, will punish the culprits severely once they find them. The punishment should be so severe that no one will dare to commit such a crime again in their lifetime. This is very important. The punishment must be severe,” added the former Indian cricket team captain.

The decorated cricketer had earlier divided the internet after he said in a viral video that the rape and murder of a trainee doctor was a “one-off” incident.

“I think everything should not be judged based on one isolated incident. There is no reason to think that everything or everyone is unsafe (incident). Such incidents happen all over the world. It is wrong to think that girls are unsafe. Not only in West Bengal, but all over India, women are safe. The place where we live is the best place. It should not be judged based on one incident,” Ganguly told reporters at an event at the Biswa-Bengal Convention Centre.

The remark triggered a backlash online against the cricketer who led India to the final in South Africa in the 2003 World Cup. The now retired left-handed batsman was criticised online, forcing him to come up with a clarification.

“Dada stood firmly against heinous crimes like rape and advocated for immediate punishment of the culprits. He also actively supported women’s safety in the workplace. We stand with the victims and we stand with Dada, the greatest son of Bengal and India,” a fan group said.

While some of his fan base on social media seemed to support him, some social media commentators criticised the batsman for his remarks.

“Sadly, SouravGanguly is no longer ‘Dad’,” one social media user posted.

He said: “I am saddened and shocked to see this brave man who took off his jersey on the balcony of the Lord and taught the Indian team to fight, losing his spine!”