Why #ArrestDhoni Is Trending After His Birthday Celebration
What should have been a quiet birthday tribute to India’s most beloved captain MS Dhoni turned into a full-blown Twitter storm, with #ArrestDhoni trending across India. The reason? A growing backlash against Dhoni’s birthday celebration video surfacing on the same day as reports of multiple fatalities from a major road accident in Jharkhand—his home state.
Social Media Outrage Fuels the Hashtag
The outrage began with users calling out the perceived insensitivity of public celebrations amidst national tragedy. “Log marte rahe, cake kat'ta raha,” one user wrote, referencing the video of Dhoni cutting his birthday cake. Some fans of rival cricketers, particularly Virat Kohli, used the moment to stoke online flames.
The fire escalated when Mathew Hayden, former Australian cricketer and close friend of Dhoni, reportedly remarked,
"If such tragedy had happened in Australia during my birthday celebrations, I would've thrown the cake in the dustbin and never celebrated. Human lives are far more valuable than any birthday."
While many users condemned the trend as disrespectful, others used it to spotlight the toxic behavior that often festers in online cricket fandom. Some trolls went as far as dragging Dhoni’s family into the discourse—prompting widespread condemnation from neutral voices.
Beyond the Hashtag: What Happens Next?
It remains unclear whether Dhoni was aware of the tragedy when celebrating. His team has yet to issue an official statement. Meanwhile, celebrities and cricketers are urging for restraint and empathy online.
As #ArrestDhoni trends for the wrong reasons, the incident has reignited debates around celebrity responsibility, fan toxicity, and how far is too far in online fandom wars.