Abhinav Bindra tweets in support of protesting wrestlers in New Delhi: My heart goes out to all those affected
Legendary Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra has come to the support of protesting wrestlers in New Delhi, saying it’s deeply concerning.
That the top athletes have found it necessary to come to the streets and voice their concerns against the Wrestling Federation of India. The Beijing Olympic Gold medalist urged the authorities to handle the issue properly and hear the athletes’ concerns fairly and independently.
Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, is among the few top athletes who have come out in support of the protesting wrestlers. Top Indian international wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, returned to Jantar Mantar to resume their protest against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 3 months after the wrestlers alleged the federation chief of sexual harassment and WFI of mishandling funds and mismanagement.
The wrestlers returned to Jantar Mantar on Sunday, saying the Delhi Police refused to file an FIR against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after 7 female wrestlers, including a minor, complained against him of sexual harassment.
The wrestlers, who have slept and trained at the protest site over the last 4 days, remained firm in their stance of making public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP MP.
“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,” Abhinav Bindra tweeted.
“My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. 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,” he added.
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 outâ€æ — Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) April 26, 2023
Notably, on Wednesday, the protesting wrestlers, speaking to India Today, requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.
“PM Modi does Mann Ki Baat, but he should listen to Betiyon Ki Mann Ki Baat as well,” Vinesh Phogat said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat thanked the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear a petition filed by the wrestlers, seeking an FIR against the WFI chief.
A Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, said the ‘serious allegations’ raised by the wrestlers required the court’s consideration and directed that the case be listed for Friday, April 28.
However, the Delhi Police told Supreme Court that some kind of preliminary probe was needed before it can proceed with the registration of an FIR over sexual harassment allegations levelled by seven women wrestlers against the WFI chief.