Vinesh asks why top cricketers, others silent: ‘Are you all so afraid?’

Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme on Wednesday (edited transcript will appear on Monday, May 1), Vinesh said: “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…”

She cited the example of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, which began in the US but saw sportspersons from across the world unite to fight racism and discrimination. “It’s not like we don’t have big athletes in our country. There are cricketers… During the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, they showed their support. Don’t we deserve even that much,” she asked.
Vinesh said she and Bajrang had written open letters and posted videos, requesting sportspersons to speak up. “But we don’t know what they are afraid of. I understand that they may be concerned that this could affect their sponsorship and brand endorsement deals. Maybe that’s why they are afraid to associate themselves with athletes who are protesting. But it pains me,” she 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?),” she said.

Saying that the responsibility of “cleaning up the system” lies with the country’s leading athletes, for the benefit of the next generation, the two-time World Championship medall said the “entire system will collapse if all the athletes sit here in protest” and those running it “won’t be able to sleep peacefully”.
“But if the big athletes remain silent, then what’s the point of anything at all? Every sports federation has a problem and many athletes are my friends as well. But there should be no pretensions. I go for their matches, they come for mine, we get a photo clicked together, congratulate each other upon winning a medal, put up nice messages like ‘onwards and upwards’… Athletes need to get out of the social media bubble and express real-world emotions. They should look beyond their personal gains and ask their conscience,” she said.
“Log kehte hai wrestlers ka dimaag ghutno mein hota hai (People say wrestlers’ mind is not in the right place). But I’ll say our dil (heart), dimaag (mind)… everything is in the right place. Other athletes need to check where their mind is. Dil toh unke paas hai hi nahi (They don’t have a heart),” she said.
She said that sportspersons who don’t have the “courage” to make themselves heard now should not “congratulate” them if they win a medal in future.

“You put photos, you put brand collaborations… can’t you put one post saying there should be justice for us. That’s all we request,” she said. “If we don’t deserve their support in these times of struggle then, God willing, if we win a medal tomorrow – and we will work very hard for it – don’t come to congratulate us. Don’t say you had faith in our abilities because you didn’t – that’s why you are doubting us now,” she said.
While politicians and khap leaders have made their way to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers have received little support from the sporting fraternity.
On Thursday, former India cricket captain Kapil Dev posted a picture of the three wrestlers on his social media handle, with a caption: “Will they ever get justice?”
A day before, Olympic gold medall Abhinav Bindra expressed solidarity. “My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. We must ensure that this issue is handled properly with athletes’ concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently,” he posted.

Responding to his message, Olympians Jwala Gutta and Shiva Keshavan, too, extended their support. But others have not been forthcoming so far.
India’s top wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in the Capital since Sunday, seeking an FIR against Brij Bhushan. Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have filed separate police complaints against him, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
Stating that the Delhi Police was not regering an FIR, the protesting wrestlers have moved the Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter.