The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has waded into the wrestling imbroglio currently rocking the Indian sports world. The ABVP statement via a press release on its Matunga office letterhead read, “Athletes are the country’s honour and pride. The ABVP wants that the protesting athletes, here, it is the wrestlers, must be heard, cognisance must be taken of their problems and  demands and a committee formed to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

An ABVP functionary was asked why the student body was voicing an opinion on the current burning controversy. He said, “The ABVP works for students and that naturally includes young persons. One of our focus areas is sport. We also have certain sportspersons as ABVP members.”

ABVP National General Secretary Yagywalkya Shukla said, “Those who have covered themselves in glory and brought so much pride to India in the Commonwealth and Olympics, ensuring that our hearts swell with pride as the tricolour flies high, have certain demands and they have a few knotty issues as well, which need speedy resolution and quick decisions. We need clarity from the government on its stand vis-à-vis the various issues raised by protesting wrestlers in Delhi at Jantar Mantar. Steps should be taken in accordance with rules and guidelines and move towards ending this with the welfare of wrestlers in mind. Even earlier, though sporadic, we have seen protests in different sports by athletes, who have had certain grouses and complaints. This is not an ideal situation. In fact, the sports ministry, along with the government, needs to address this, so that our athletes can represent India and give their best in competition.”

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Shukla dismissed accusations of trying to ‘politicise’ the issue and stated, “Students and youth are overwhelmingly invested in these issues. We are not here to gain any kind of political mileage. We are simply in support of a just resolution, through a high-level inquiry. We are not at Jantar Mantar but we want to let athletes know that we do stand with them in their quest for justice if they feel betrayed by the system.”

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