Members of 1983 World Cup team issue statement on wrestlers protest, BCCI chief Roger Binny distances himself

BCCI president Roger Binny distanced himself from a statement issued by the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team in support of the protesting wrestlers. Hours earlier, Kapil Dev-captained India’s 1983 World Cup team had appealed to the protesting wrestlers not to take extreme steps such as immersing their medals into the holy river Ganga. The team issued a statement where they said they’re ‘distressed’ and ‘disturbed’ by the wrestlers being ‘manhandled’ by the police.

Binny, who was elected BCCI chief in October 2022, was part of the Indian cricket team that bagged the historic triumph in the 1983 World Cup in England.

“Contrary to some media reports, I would like to clarify that I have not issued any statement regarding the current situation of the wrestlers’ protest,” Binny told news agency PTI.

“I believe that the competent authorities are working on to resolve the issue. As a former cricketer, I believe that sports should not be mixed with politics,” he added.

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, other wrestlers and their supporters have demanded the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of female grapplers including a minor. Two FIRs have been lodged against Sharan Singh but despite being booked under the non-bailable POCSO Act, he’s not been arrested.

Must Read | Wrestlers’ protest puts the spotlight on rampant sexual abuse in Indian sport

On 28 May, the wrestlers were prevented from moving towards the new Parliament site. They were violently detained for violation of law and order in trying to hold a protest opposite the new Parliament building. Subsequently, the protest site at Jantar Mantar was cleared.

Two days later, on 30 May, the wrestlers said they will immerse their Olympic and Asian Games medals into the Ganga. However, they were persuaded against it by khap and farmer leaders. The wrestlers and supporters agreed to give the government five days notice to act.

Read | ‘Treatment of Indian wrestlers very disturbing,’ says IOC

“We are distressed and disturbed at the unseemly visuals of our champion wrestlers being manhandled. We are also most concerned that they are thinking of dumping their hard earned medals into river Ganga,” a statement released by the 1983 World Cup winning team to news agency PTI read.

“Those medals have involved years of effort, sacrifice, determination, and grit and are not only their own but the nation’s pride and joy. We urge them not to take any hasty decision in this matter and also fervently hope that their grievances are heard and resolved quickly. Let the law of the land prevail,” the statement read.

Read | Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accuses wrestlers for not sticking to demands

After Binny’s distancing, Kapil Dev clarified, “I am not going to say anything individually, the whole of 1983 team stands by the statement we have issued.”

PTI said Kirti Azad, who was part of the ’83 team and is now a Trinamool Congress member, sought approval only from Kapil and Madan Lal before issuing the statement.

Other members of the ’83 batch include iconic Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, K Srikanth, Syed Kirmani, Yashpal Sharma, Madan Lal, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Sandeep Patil.

Other cricketers to have shown solidarity with the protesting wrestlers are Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh. Individual Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra have also expressed anguish over the scenes that have transpired in the last week.

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