Since early this year, Indian wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and several others have alleged sexual harassment against BJP MP. They were joined by their male counterpart Bajrang Punia and others. After the assurance of a probe into the case from the Indian government, the protests were halted. However, three months into the assurance, nothing significant has happened so far.
Meanwhile, the duo and several other athletes have resumed their protests. The latest entrant in the group is Neeraj Chopra, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist. Meanwhile, recently, Phogat questioned India cricketers’ silence over their matter. She added that they players and the game are worshipped a lot but they haven’t raised a concern over the case.
“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…” Vinesh told Indian Express.
Former and current India cricketers raise their voices for Vinesh Phogat
Meanwhile, after Phogat’s statements, some of the former India players raised their concerns. It started with the 1893 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev. “Will they ever get justice,” Kapil asked in an Instagram post with a photograph of Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.
The 2007 20-20 and 2011 ODI World Cup winner and now a Rajya Sabha member Harbhajan Singh also voiced his opinion.
Harbhajan tweeted on Friday, April 28, “I am pained as a sportsperson to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets”
Virender Sehwag wrote, “It’s a sensitive matter and needs an impartial investigation”
Irfan Pathan said, “Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…”.
India women’s player Shikha Pandey said, “Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…”.
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
???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????? champions ????????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?? , ???? ?????? ?? , ?? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ???, ?????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???
???? ????????? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ??????? pic.twitter.com/A8KXqxbKZ4— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 28, 2023
Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 28, 2023
It takes great strength to wrestle. But it takes greater strength to speak up. I hope and pray that justice shall be served at the earliest.
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) April 28, 2023
