Wrestlers' Protest: Anil Kumble expresses dismay over treatment of India's Olympians

Former Indian captain Anil Kumble has expressed his dismay over the treatment endured by protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on May 28.

The wrestlers, including Olympic and world championships medallists such as Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, were detained by the police when they attempted to march towards the new Parliament building to hold a 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'.

The incident, which took place on Sunday, witnessed unprecedented scenes of police dragging the wrestlers and their supporters after breaching the security cordon.

Despite not having permission from the Delhi Police, the wrestlers tried to march towards the new Parliament building, coinciding with its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which led to their detention.

Kumble, the legendary Indian leg-spinner and the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, expressed his belief that the issue could have been resolved through dialogue.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest."

Renowned figures such as Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan have also expressed solidarity with the wrestlers.

On Tuesday, the wrestlers, accompanied by hundreds of supporters, reached Haridwar with the intention of immersing their medals won on the global stage, including the Olympics, in the Ganga river. However, they were persuaded by Khaps (local self-governing bodies) and farmer leaders to delay the act for a few more days, in order to address their grievances effectively.