Indian Olympic gold medalists Neeraj Chopra and Abhinav Bindra along with Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri strongly reacted to Indian wrestlers getting detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday.
The wrestlers who have been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for over a month now demanding the arrest of WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment tried to march towards the new parliament building that was inaugurated on Sunday.
Indian Wrestlers' protest: Sports stars lend support
The wrestlers left Jantar Mantar and walked towards the new parliament building but once they tried to cross the protective barricades, they were immediately detained by the police.
Indian Olympic medalists like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik were among the group of wrestlers who were detained.
Indian wrestlers’ protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: All you need to know
Reacting strongly to the incident, Neeraj Chopra tweeted,
यह देखकर मुझे बहुत दुख हो रहा है | There has to be a better way to deal with this. https://t.co/M2gzso4qjX
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 28, 2023
Bindra wrote from his Twitter handle,
Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It's high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity and respect. Every athlete deserves a safe and empowering environment.
Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It's high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity…
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 29, 2023
Chhetri opined,
Why does it have to come down to our wrestlers being dragged around without any consideration? This isn’t the way to treat anyone. I really hope this whole situation is assessed the way it should be.
Why does it have to come down to our wrestlers being dragged around without any consideration? This isn’t the way to treat anyone.
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 28, 2023
I really hope this whole situation is assessed the way it should be.
On Sunday evening, the Delhi Police registered FIRs against protestors, including the star wrestlers.
"A case has been registered against wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other organisers of the protest. A few wrestlers had come to Jantar Mantar at night to protest, they were denied permission and were sent back," stated Delhi Police.
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