Picture Credit: Twitter
Former cricketer Kapil Dev and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra extend their support to the Indian wrestlers who are protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing female wrestlers. Earlier, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is among the wrestlers protesting, expressed her dissatisfaction with players maintaining silence when it came to supporting them and their protests.
Vinesh Phogat pointed out cricketers on maintaining silence and said, “You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. Abhi kya ho gaya? (What has happened now?) Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too? (Unke daal mein bhi kaala hai, yeh maan ke chale hum?)."
Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is notably the first elite athlete who came in the support of wrestlers protesting against the WFI Chief. However, after his statement, fans were too quick to point fingers at top cricketers like Virat Kohli, who haven't said anything yet on the protest.
Neeraj Chopra, Kapil Dev, Sania Mirza and Abhinav Bindra come in support of wrestlers
The 2008 Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra came in support of the wrestlers and said, "My heart goes out to all those who have been affected."
1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev posted an Instagram story of the picture of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia with a message, “Will they ever get justice?”
Not only this, but the 2020 Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra also extended support towards the wrestlers saying, “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.” Recently retired Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza also extended her support.
Notably, wrestlers are protesting since Sunday at Jantar Mantar calling for the release of reports of the oversight panel looking into the sexual harassment claims against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
