National anthem row: Media didn't attack Sourav Ganguly when he chewed gum, says Parvez Rasool's father

New Delhi: Weeks after Parvez Rasool was slammed on social media for chewing gum during India's national anthem, his father Ghulam Rasool has come out in open saying that the media did not attack former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly when he did something similar.

Rasool, who was making his international debut during the 1st ODI of the recently concluded limited-overs series, landed in a big controversy even before a ball was bowled. The Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder was seen standing at ease during the national anthem and chewing gum before the match.

Reacting on the incident, Rasool's father said that the media chose to attack his son, and not Ganguly, who did something similar in past.

WATCH: Sourav Ganguly chewing gum during national anthem in ODI against Australia 

"I have seen Sourav Ganguly also chewing gum during one of the matches when our Ja Na Ga Na Ma Na was being played but surprisingly media did not attack him and only targeted Parvez," Parvez's father was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.

He further added that his son should not have done so during India's national anthem.

"Many players chew gum during the matches and my son was no exception. But at least he should have kept his mouth clean when the national anthem was being played."

WATCH: On debut, did Parvez Rasool insult the national anthem during India-England match?

"Anyhow, I shall certainly ask my son to not make this mistake again and respect the country," he signed off.

Parvez was selected in India's T20I squad by BCCI selectors after they chose to rest their first-choice spin pair of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the series.

In his first T20I match, Rasool picked one wicket and scored five runs as Men in Blue lost the match by seven wickets.