Hyderabad: A day when the Supreme Court is all set hear the batch of petitions filed by the seven top women wrestlers of the country seeking registration of an FIR against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, India's 'Golden Boy,' Neeraj Chopra has taken to Twitter, urging authorities to take quick action on the matter.
The ace javelin throw athlete expressed his dismay seeing athletes on the streets searching for justice. He acknowledged the hard work of athletes in representing the nation and making it proud, and said that the country is responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not.
Chopra added that the issue is sensitive and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. He called on authorities to take quick action to ensure justice is served. The wrestlers' protest highlights the need for strong action to prevent sexual harassment in sports and for protecting the rights of athletes.
In his Twitter handle, Neeraj wrote - "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."
Not only Neeraj but supporters pour in after renowned Indian wrestlers have once again taken to the streets at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding justice over the #MeToo allegations made against the Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This is the second time the wrestlers have protested and demanded action be taken against Singh over alleged sexual harassment of multiple female wrestlers.
Earlier Gold Medalist Olympian Abhinav Bindra came out in open support of the grapplers. Taking to Twitter, the ace shooter had written, "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 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 had written.
The WFI has faced criticism for not taking the allegations seriously and not conducting a proper investigation into the matter. The wrestlers' protest has gained attention on social media, and many people are supporting their cause and demanding action against the WFI chief. The protest also emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for athletes to perform without fear of harassment or discrimination.
