Time to move past the unfair obsession with fair skin!

Even though we are living in the 21st century, the obsession for fair skin still continues to plague our country and is increasing at an alarming rate.

Not many openly discuss the idea of racism being wrong but it needs to be as the awareness surrounding this 'fairness' obsession might enlighten people's minds.

While actor Abhay Deal previously launched an online campaign and called out fellow actors in Bollywood for endorsing fairness creams, recently cricketer Abhinav Mukund too has joined the fore in an attempt to take a stand against the issue.

The batsman put up a compelling post on Twitter pointing out racial discrimination and people’s obsession with fair skin. The post with the caption - “Fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome, guys!” garnered a lot of support not only from other sports personalities but amongst the Twitteratis.

Abhinav Mukund opened up on the issue after being abused on social media for his colour.

In his post, he wrote,

pic.twitter.com/bdeSj3Bm9c

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 9, 2017

Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jwala Gutta and Manoj Tiwary were among the many who took to the micro-blogging site to extend their support on the issue.

Well said ABHINAV 👏

— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) August 9, 2017

Shouldn't be same when u call me "quarter " macha , no ? ;)

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) August 9, 2017

Very well said Abhinav. 👌

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 10, 2017

Corrrrrectttt 👍🏻👏🏼

— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) August 10, 2017

Read and learn, don't make it a headline cos its someone's emotion. https://t.co/AnN9EMofj2

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 10, 2017

Despite all the support, the cricketer had to post a series of tweets saying that the post was not directed to any member of the Indian cricket team.

Guys please don't turn this into something else,it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people 1/2

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017

Who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all !

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017

Please don't turn this into something political,I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That s all.

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) August 10, 2017

Last month, Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared a cryptic tweet regarding the discrimination he has faced in the film industry over his appearance.

Thank U 4 making me realise dat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not good looking, but I never focus on that.

— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) July 17, 2017

Miss America 2013, Nina Davuluri who is the daughter of Indian immigrant parents, faced backlash from a section of Americans who were displeased on the title being given to a South Asian. Interestingly, the Indian media observed Davuluri as a dusky beauty and pointed out that she could never have won the pageant if she had been competing in India, owing to the bias against her complexion.

The prejudice runs deep - be it the fairness creams or the matrimonial ads for women with 'fair' as the pre-requisite, colour discrimination is still something we have not been able to shrug off.

With known personalities openly addressing such issues, the stigma around the dark complexion might somewhat diminish if not completely get extinguished. It is definitely a start for the long struggle ahead to beat racism and youngsters might actually lead to India beating this obsession of fair complexion.