‘Pained to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets’: Indian sportspersons extend support to protesting wrestlers

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has joined Olympian Neeraj Chopra, Abhinav Bindra, Nikhat Zareen, Rani Rampal and former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev in extending solidarity to the wrestlers who are on a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday.
The athletes are demanding public disclosure of the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Amidst these, Harbhajan took to Twitter and said that it hurts him to see the pride of India coming out for a protest on the streets and hopes that they get justice.

“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. #andWithWrestlers,” he 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.#andWithWrestlers pic.twitter.com/hwD9dKSFNv
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 28, 2023
Former India opener Virender Sehwag had also raised the voice in support of the protesting wrestlers.

बहुत दुःख की बात है की हमारे champions जिन्होंने देश का बड़ा नाम किया है , झंडा लहराया है , हम सबको इतनी ख़ुशियाँ दी हैं, उन्हें आज सड़क पर आना पड़ा है। बड़ा संवेदनशील मामला है और इसकी निष्पक्ष जाँच होनी चाहिए। उम्मीद है खिलाड़ियों को न्याय मिलेगा। pic.twitter.com/A8KXqxbKZ4
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 28, 2023
Earlier today, javelin star Neeraj Chopra also threw his weight behind the protesting wrestlers. The Olympic champion, on Twitter, said that he was hurt to see athletes demand justice protesting on the streets. “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,” the Tokyo Olympic gold medall said.

pic.twitter.com/SzlEhVnjep
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 28, 2023
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Star Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen also came in support of the wrestlers. “It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medalls in this state. Sportspeople also serve the nation bringing glory & laurels,” she wrote on Twitter.

It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medalls in this state. Sportspeople also serve the nation bringing glory & laurels. I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earliest🙏🏻 Jai Hind.#andWithMyChampions https://t.co/w5eaJuwzSz
— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) April 28, 2023
“I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earlies.”
Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat, who is at the forefront of the protest, spoke to The Indian Express during an Idea Exchange where she said she was pained to see athletes from other sports, especially cricket, turning a blind eye to them.

We are not on the streets, we are on the soil of India. It is our democratic right to protest. If you feel it is “indiscipline” or insulting why don’t come here and solve our problems: Vinesh Phogat.
Video: @AndrewAmsan pic.twitter.com/pustl2Xz9i
— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) April 27, 2023
“The entire country worships cricket but not even a single cricketer has spoken up. We aren’t saying that you speak in our favour, but at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what pains me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…,” Vinesh told The Indian Express.

Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 28, 2023
On Friday, the Supreme Court will be hearing the plea seven wrestlers seeking regration of FIR against the WFI president.

pic.twitter.com/5y8sCtaQvP
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) April 28, 2023
The SC noted that there are serious allegations that are contained in the petition wrestlers who have represented India. The apex court also issued notice to Delhi Police pertaining to the plea filed the wrestlers.

Shocking that 9 women of recognition complained & no FIR is regered. it’ll be a tear on the cheek of time in Indian hory…… 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… pic.twitter.com/cKZgCxKKQo
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) April 28, 2023
Over the last four days, the wrestlers have slept and trained at the protest site.
Speaking to reporters after an executive committee meeting of the IOA on Thursday, Usha said, “Our feeling is that for sexual harassment complaints, IOA has a committee and athletes’ commission. Instead of going to the street (again), they should have come to us, but they have not at all come to IOA.”
The IOA also announced the formation of a three-member committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI and conduct fresh polls within 45 days.