Why trolls forced student to return education money to Pant
What's the story
Rishabh Pant, a renowned cricketer who has recently made a triumphant return to cricket following a severe injury in 2022, has found himself at the center of an online controversy. The incident began when Pant responded to a fan's request for financial assistance for his engineering studies. This unusual interaction quickly gained traction on social media platforms.
Interaction details
Pant's response to fan's plea for educational funding
The fan, named Kartikey Maurya, is reportedly an engineering student at Chandigarh University. He initiated a crowdfunding campaign on social media platform X, seeking ₹90,000 to cover his educational expenses. In his message to Pant, he wrote: "Sir, I'm a student struggling to fund my engineering education. Your support can change my life." Despite not immediately fulfilling the request for funds, Pant responded encouragingly by advising him to keep pursuing his dreams and assuring him of a brighter future ahead.
Donation controversy
Pant's financial support and subsequent online backlash
It is understood that Pant later donated a certain amount to Maurya, who posted a screenshot as proof on his X account before deleting it. However, soon an online backlash broke out, with some users accusing Maurya of being a potential fraudster. They cited an old tweet where he allegedly squandered ₹90,000 college fees on cricket bets. Following the intense criticism, Maurya decided to refund the entire sum to Pant and made his account private.
Refund announcement
Maurya's decision to refund Pant amid online trolling
In response to the online trolling, Maurya announced his intention to refund all the money to Pant. He posted on X, "Refunding all the money to Rishabh Pant. Please I can't handle all (this) hate." He further stated that he had contacted team Ketto for permission to initiate the refund process and would post a screenshot as proof once it was completed.
Public response
Social media reactions to Pant's gesture and Maurya's refund
The incident has sparked wider discussions about the challenges and risks associated with online crowdfunding for education. Some users questioned the feasibility of Pant's donation, while others suggested severe consequences for Maurya. Despite the controversy, a small section of social media users praised Pant's gesture. "What a moment. This is a real hero," one user wrote on X.