Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has lent his support to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. Having accused the Wrestling Federation of India chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of sexual misconduct against a number of female wrestlers, the likes of Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and a number of other top grapplers are protesting in New Delhi. As the battle between the wrestlers and the WFI remains deadlocked, Kapil took to Instagram, demanding justice for the grapplers who have been sleeping on the street for the last few days.
In an Instagram story, Kapil asked: "Will they ever get justice?" while sharing a picture of the protesting wrestlers.
While most of the top cricketers in the country remain silent on the wrestlers' issues, Kapil has cleared his stance on the matter. Earlier, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra also extended his support to the protesting wrestlers and called for "quick action" from the authorities in order to ensure that justice is served.
Chopra expressed his disappointment a day after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha came down heavily on the wrestlers for hitting the streets to resume their protests instead of approaching its athletes' commission to lodge their complaints Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Ace javelin thrower Chopra, who scripted history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in athletics at the Olympics, said "it hurts" to see the wrestlers taking to the street in search of justice.
He tweeted, "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."
With PTI inputs