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Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chief and 1983 World Cup winning cricketer Roger Binny has decided to distance himself from the joint statement released by the 1983 World Cup winning team regarding the wrestlers’ protest. Notably, top Indian wrestlers have been protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for more than a month, for allegedly harassing seven female wrestlers including a minor.
The 1983 team released a joint statement on June 2, Friday, to express solidarity with the wrestlers. The team urged the players to not take any hasty decision and throw their medals. However, Binny opted to stay out of the team’s strong message, and said, "Contrary to some media reports, I would like to clarify that I have not issued any statement regarding the current situation of the wrestlers’ protest. I believe that the competent authorities are working to resolve the issue. As a former cricketer, I believe that sports should not be mixed with politics."
The statement issued by the wrestlers read, "We are distressed and disturbed at the unseemly visuals of our champion wrestlers being manhandled. We are also most concerned that they are thinking of dumping their hard-earned medals into river Ganga." It further read, "Those medals have involved years of effort, sacrifice, determination, and grit and are not only their own but the nation’s pride and joy. We urge them not to take any hasty decision in this matter and also fervently hope that their grievances are heard and resolved quickly. Let the law of the land prevail."
Notably, the protesting wrestlers were detained by Delhi Police for breaking law on May 28, after which they decided to immerse their medals in Ganga. However, they halted their plan after farmer leaders intervened.
