"Haunted By The Horrifying Images": Abhinav Bindra Reacts On Visuals Of Action Against Wrestlers
A day after videos from the National Capital showed wrestlers being shoved, pushed, pinned down to the ground and dragged into buses - triggering outrage across the country - Abhinav Bindra has reacted on the issue
A day after videos from the National Capital showed wrestlers being shoved, pushed, pinned down to the ground and dragged into buses - triggering outrage across the country - Abhinav Bindra has reacted on the issue. On Sunday, tension escalated when the wrestlers, led by Vinesh Phogat and her cousin Sangeeta Phogat, attempted to breach the security barricades set up by the police. Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, said that he is saddened by the developments.
"Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It's high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity and respect. Every athlete deserves a safe and empowering environment," Abhinav Bindra tweeted.
Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It's high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity...
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 29, 2023
After the wrestlers were detained, the Delhi Police cleared the site of their over-month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and said they would not be allowed to return there.
This is how our champions are being treated. The world is watching us! #WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/rjrZvgAlSO
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) May 28, 2023
The athletes had planned a women's assembly near the new parliament as part of their protest against BJP MP and chief of the country's wrestling federation Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing several women wrestlers, including a minor. They have demanded his removal as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, and a speedy trial on their police case.
The police said 700 people were detained across the national capital. As many as 109 protesters, including the three wrestlers, were detained at Jantar Mantar. Women detainees were released later in the evening.