‘They backed Black Lives Matter… may be worried about effect on brand deals’
Pointing to the silence of star cricketers and other top sportspersons, World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat said she was “pained” to see that “they don’t have the courage” to stand up to those in power. Vinesh, along with Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, is at the forefront of the ongoing wrestlers’ protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange program on Wednesday (edited transcript will appear on Monday, May 1), Vinesh said: “The entire country worships cricket but not even a single cricketer has spoken up. We aren’t saying that you speak in our favour, but at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what hurts me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…”
She cited the example of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, which began in the US but saw sportspersons from across the world unite to fight racism and discrimination. “It’s not like we don’t have big athletes in our country. There are cricketers… During the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, they showed their support. Don’t we deserve even that much,” she asked.
Vinesh said she and Bajrang had written open letters and posted videos, requesting sportspersons to speak up. “But we don’t know what they are afraid of. I understand that they may be concerned that this could affect their sponsorship and brand endorsement deals. Maybe that’s why they are afraid to associate themselves with athletes who are protesting. But it hurts me,” she said.
“You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. Abhi what happened? (What has happened now?) Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too? (Unke daal mein bhi kaala hai, yeh maan ke chale hum?),” she said.
