Neeraj Chopra To Sania Mirza, Top Athletes Extend Support To Protesting Wrestlers

New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra expressed his support towards the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar on Friday stating that they have “worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud.”

He demanded that the government take “quick action” to make sure that justice is done.

Chopra expressed his disappointment a day after IOA president PT Usha harshly criticised the wrestlers for returning to the streets to renew their protests rather than going to the IOA’s athletes’ commission to file complaints against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation.

“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,” Chopra wrote on Twitter.

“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,” he added.

pic.twitter.com/SzlEhVnjep

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 28, 2023

Harbhajan Singh also 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.#IStandWithWrestlers pic.twitter.com/hwD9dKSFNv

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 28, 2023

Former India opener Virender Sehwag had also raised his 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

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… pic.twitter.com/7mVVyz1Dr1

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) April 28, 2023

It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state. Sportspeople 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.#IStandWithMyChampions https://t.co/w5eaJuwzSz

— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) April 28, 2023

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.

Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 28, 2023