India needs to stop “living in denial” and start understanding and accepting the issues plaguing the society, feels Irfan Pathan.

The former India all-rounder had earlier on Tuesday put forth his views on the worldwide debate surrounding racism.

According to Pathan, racism is not just restricted to skin colour, as one could also be ill treated or racially abused for “having a different faith”.

“Racism is not restricted to the colour of the skin. Not allowing to buy a home in a society just because u have a different faith is a part of racism too… #convenient #racism,” Pathan wrote on his Twitter handle.

He later clarified, though, that it wasn’t his personal experience but just an observation.

However, when asked if he feels there’s a serious need for change in Indian society, Pathan said that identifying the issues and addressing them is the most important work that has to be done at present.

“See, we first need to understand that there is a problem. If we accept there is a problem and there’s an issue, then we will be able to get better in the areas concerned.

“I feel, as a country, ours is the most amazing in the world. But we still have a long way to go,” Pathan, one of the three Indian bowlers with a Test hat-trick, told The Telegraph

“Also, I think we need to accept that there are some things where we need to get better at.

“If we accept that, I believe we’ll anyway win half of the battles. But yeah, we can’t live in denial.”