India’s Only Two Individual Olympic Gold Medallists Have Now Voiced Support for Protesting Wrestlers

Neeraj Chopra has joined Abhinav Bindra in tweeting support for India’s top wrestlers who are protesting against the police’s refusal to file an FIR against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

New Delhi: A day after Indian Olympic Association chief P.T. Usha said the ongoing protest by wrestlers “amounted to indiscipline,” top athletes of the country like Neeraj Chopra and Nikhat Zareen have tweeted their support to the medal-winning wrestlers who are protesting at Jantar Mantar against the police’s refusal to lodge an FIR against a BJP MP accused of sexual harassment by six women and a minor.

The wrestlers are protesting against the lack of an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is battling serious allegations including those which should come under the POCSO Act.

Their protest, which follows a similar sit-in in January this year which was suspended after the Union government assured them of an investigation, has not seen any attention from the government this time.

Worlds medallist Vinesh Phogat, who has led the protests alongside Olympics medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, had also slammed the country’s cricketers over their silence. Since she spoke, India’s first World Cup winning cricket caption, Kapil Dev, has uploaded an Instagram story asking, ‘Will they ever get justice?’ with a photo of the protesting wrestlers.

On Friday, April 28, javelin thrower and one of India’s most successful Olympians, Neeraj Chopra, tweeted a note on Friday, saying, “What’s happening should never happen.” Chopra’s tweet is significant because he is easily the most high profile of working athletes to have made his stand clear on the issue.

Abhinav Bindra, who is one of two Indians to have ever won individual Olympic gold – the other is Chopra – had tweeted his support on April 26.

“As athletes, we train hard every day to represent our country on the international stage. It is deeply concerning to see our athletes finding it necessary to protest on the streets regarding the allegations of harassment in the Indian wrestling administration. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected,” he said.

“We must ensure that this issue is handled properly, with the athletes’ concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently. This incident highlights the crucial need for a proper safeguarding mechanism that can prevent harassment and ensure justice for those affected. We must work towards creating a safe and secure environment for all athletes to thrive in,” Bindra said.

Boxing World Champion Nikhat Zareen has also tweeted today, noting that it breaks her heart to see bright sportspersons “in this state.”

Sania Mirza, one of India’s greatest tennis players ever, has tweeted that what is unfolding has been difficult to watch as a woman and a sportsperson.