Kapil Dev speaks in support of protesting wrestlers, asks "will they ever get justice"

New Delhi: Iconic Indian cricketer Kapil Dev expressed solidarity with the female wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar. Top athletes like Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik are among those who accused the Wrestling Federation of India chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of sexual harassment against a number of wrestlers.

Sharing a photograph of the protest in New Delhi, Kapil Dev asked: "Will they ever get justice?"

The protesters have been sleeping on the street for days. The commission has completed an investigation on the matter but the Centre is yet to make the report public.

Most top sportspersons in the country are silent on the matter even after the wrestlers publicly sought support from their peers. Vinesh Phogat told The Indian Express that the sporting fraternity is afraid to take a stand. Olympian P.T. Usha even said that the protesting women are damaging the image of the country and they should have "discipline."

Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra is among the few who publicly showed support and called for "quick action". The ace javelin thrower 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."

Harbhajan Singh, Sania Mirza, Irfan Pathan, Nikhat Zareen, Rani Rampal, and Virender Sehwag also have expressed solidarity with the wrestlers.

Harbhajan Singh wrote: "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."

Sania Mirza wrote: "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 and serious allegations. I hope whatever the truth is justice is served.. sooner rather than later."

Irfan Pathan tweeted: "Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us."

Nikhat Zareen also joined the fight and tweeted: "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."

Rani Rampal wrote: "Extremely painful to see our renowned wrestlers demanding justice on the streets of India. It tears me apart to see my fellow athletes in this situation who have worked hard in their lives and won great laurels for our beloved country. They deserve justice."

Earlier, Abhinav Bindra also spoke in support of the women.