India sporting fraternity backs wrestlers protesting against wrestling body chief: 'It hurts me...'

India's sporting fraternity on Friday (28) came out to show solidarity with the country's protesting wrestlers with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra leading the way with a plea for "quick action" to ensure that justice is served.

Apart from the ace javelin thrower who bagged the top medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, star boxer Nkhat Zareen, former tennis player Sana Mrza, hockey player Ranii Rampal, Olympic medal-winning shooter Abhinav Bindra and former cricketers such as Virender Sehwag, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, Madan Lal and others also backed the wrestlers who have staged a stubborn protest against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who have been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation.

The 66-year-old Singh has also been a parliamentarian for India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who represents Kaiserganj constituency in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

The sports personalities expressed their views a day after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, a former athlete who had represented India at the Olympics, came down heavily on the wrestlers for hitting the streets to resume their protests instead of approaching its athletes' commission.

In a tweet, Chopra said, "It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. 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. What's happening should never happen."

"This is a sensitive issue, and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Pertaining authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served."

The wrestlers, who include Olympics, Commonwealth and World Championships medal winners in Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been sitting at Jantar Mantar in the heart of New Delhi since last weekend.

Double world championship gold medallist Zareen said, "It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state. Sports people also serve the nation by bringing glory & laurels. I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earliest. Jai Hind."

Mirza tweeted, "As an athlete but more as a woman this is too difficult to watch .. they've brought laurels to our country and we have all celebrated them, with them .. if you have done that then it's time to now stand with them in this difficult time too .. this is a highly sensitive matter and serious allegations. I hope whatever the truth is justice is served.. sooner rather than later."

While no active India cricketer has expressed its opinion on the matter, some former players aired their views.

"It is extremely sad that our champions, who have brought laurels to the country, hoisted the flag and brought so much happiness to all of us, have to come out on the road today. It is a very sensitive matter and it should be investigated impartially. Hope the players get justice," Sehwag tweeted.

Madan Lal said, "Problem with our sports men's and women's are they never stand by there own players. P T usha comments are not best for players unity."

Rampal said, "Extremely painful to see our renowned wrestlers demanding justice on the streets of India. It tears me apart to see my fellow athletes in this situation who have worked hard in their lives won great laurels for our beloved country. THEY DESERVE JUSTICE."

Chopra, who is currently training in Antalya, Turkey and has his season-opening event in Doha Diamond League on May 6, has been getting compliments on social media since expressing his views on the issue.

On Thursday, Bindra had tweeted, "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."

Over the last five days, the wrestlers have slept and trained at the protest site.

(With PTI inputs)