Wrestlers have accused Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan of sexual harassment and intimidation
New Delhi: The Indian sporting fraternity on Friday put its weight behind the protesting wrestlers, with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra at the vanguard with a plea for “quick action” to ensure that justice is served, a PTI report in the Tribune, Chandigarh says.
Besides champion javelin thrower Chopra, ace boxer Nikhat Zareen, tennis star Sania Mirza, hockey player Rani Rampal, renowned former cricketers Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Madan Lal and Navjot Singh Sidhu also came out in support of the wrestlers.
These sports personalities expressed their views a day after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha came down heavily on the wrestlers for taking to the streets to resume their protests instead of approaching its athletes’ commission.
The wrestlers have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Chopra tweeted, “It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud. As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not. What’s happening should never happen.This is a sensitive issue, and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Concerned authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served.”
The wrestlers have now received support from the country’s only two individual Olympic gold medallists, with 2008 Beijing Games shooting champion Abhinav Bindra, too, recently voicing his support to the grapplers.
The wrestlers, who include Olympics, Commonwealth and World Championships medal winners in Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been sitting in at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the National Capital since last weekend.
Double world championship gold medallist Zareen said, “It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state. Sports people also serve the nation by bringing glory & laurels. I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earliest. Jai Hind.”
Sania tweeted, “As an athlete but more as a woman this is too difficult to watch .. they’ve brought laurels to our country and we have all celebrated them, with them .. if you have done that then it’s time to now stand with them in this difficult time too .. this is a highly sensitive matter and serious allegations. I hope whatever the truth is justice is served.. sooner rather than later.”
While no active India cricketer has expressed its opinion on the matter, some former players aired their views.
“It is extremely sad that our champions, who have brought laurels to the country, hoisted the flag and brought so much happiness to all of us, have to come out on the road today. It is a very sensitive matter and it should be investigated impartially. Hope the players get justice,” Sehwag tweeted.
Former off-spinner and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Harbhajan wrote, “Sakshi, Vinesh are India’s pride. I am pained as a sportsperson to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets. I pray that they get justice.”
The wrestlers have now received support from the country’s only two individual Olympic gold medallists, with 2008 Beijing Games shooting champion Abhinav Bindra, too, recently voicing his support to the grapplers.
Irfan Pathan wrote, “Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…” While Madan Lal said, “Problem with our sportsmen and women are they never stand by there own players. P T Usha’s comments are not best for players unity.”
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former India cricketer and Punjab Congress leader, also voiced his concerns and said he will join the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Monday. “Shocking that 9 women of recognition complained & no FIR is registered. It’ll be a tear on the cheek of time in Indian history. Any country that insults their women icons is hurting its own pride , these women have brought laurels to the nation. They have given wings to the aspirations of millions”.
Meanwhile, Indian women’s team star hockey player Rani Rampal said, “Extremely painful to see our renowned wrestlers demanding justice on the streets of India. It tears me apart to see my fellow athletes in this situation who have worked hard in their lives won great laurels for our beloved country. THEY DESERVE JUSTICE.”
Chopra, who is currently training in Antalya, Turkey and has his season-opening event in Doha Diamond League on May 6, has been getting compliments on social media since expressing his views on the issue.
Also backing the wrestlers were cricket legend Kapil Dev and six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, among others.
Over the last five days, the wrestlers have slept and trained at the protest site.
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