They are demanding that the following demands be met: the full documentation on the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station be published; the charges against the students and youth arrested and detained at the protests over the fall of the Novi Sad railway station shed be dropped; criminal charges be brought against the attackers of students and lecturers and that they be prosecuted; and that the Serbian budget for material costs of state higher education institutions be increased by 20%.
A large number of public figures supported the students, but there were no active sportsmen among them.
The well-known sports commentator Smiljan Banjac is disappointed by the passivity of people who have become the nation's darlings because of their success on the sports fields.
"I am disappointed, not to say appalled, by the lack of empathy, of basic solidarity towards the huge number of people who are rightly protesting, blocking streets and institutions, demanding justice and freedom. Students and schoolchildren also rose to their feet. Doesn't that mean something to them?" he said.
"The words of athletes, musicians, actors and other public figures carry weight. They can motivate. Tomorrow, no one may be able to hide behind the comfortable position of 'I'm for everyone', 'I'm not interested in politics'. Sporting success and results are one thing, but social responsibility is something else, something higher. We are witnessing a lack of elementary culture and education, I would say. I am personally affected by Novak Djokovic's silence as an activist, citizen and sports commentator. This is unacceptable. If one can have an opinion on world events and phenomena, environmental issues - here is the opportunity and the place to show his undisputed greatness. Novak, righteous people need you and they are calling on you. When will you have an opinion and a message, if not now," adds Baniac.
Kokan Mladenovic, theatre director and professor at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, commented on the case in a TV interview.
"It is paradoxical that those who present themselves as idols of the nation, or are such, I mean mostly some top athletes who have both millions and their own autonomy, do not support something that is reasonable. It's not some political option that can compromise you, it's the youth of the country that you belong to that loves and celebrates you. And this cowardice, of these overly rich people, this lack of courage, no matter how brave you are as an athlete and so on...you face different challenges, you end up falling and being a coward in something that fundamentally compromises you, which is the lack of courage to support the youth and the future of your own country," the director said.
Serbian actor Sergei Trifunovic also publicly condemned the inaction of his country's athletes.
Serbian basketball player Tina Krajisnik is one of the few from the world of sports who publicly supported the student protests in Serbia. National water polo champion Ana Milicevic did the same. | BGNES
