Farmer’s ProtestAfter Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) declared that it will organise nationwide protests, including in Delhi, in support of the protesting grapplers, security was increased at Jantar Mantar in the nation’s capital on Sunday. For more than ten days, wrestlers have been demonstrating outside Jantar Mantar, calling for the arrest of BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh and his removal from office in response to claims of sexual harassment made by the wrestlers. Several SKM leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh would visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and offer solidarity to the protesting wrestlers, according to an SKM statement on Saturday.
Notably, SKM was the driving force behind the one-year-long farmer protest against the since-repealed farm regulations on the outskirts of the national capital. Anil Vij, the minister for housing and health in Haryana, offered his support to the wrestlers staging a demonstration near Jantar Mantar on Friday. The Haryana Home Minister told ANI that he had nothing but sympathy and support for the wrestlers who were protesting. He even gave the grapplers assurances that he would be willing to act as a mediator and represent them in negotiations with the authorities. “The highest level of government is now looking into the entire situation. My sympathy and support go out to the wrestlers who are protesting because I have also served as a sports minister. I’m willing to do so if they want me to meditate and consult with the government, Mr Vij added.
Anurag Thakur, the Union Sports Minister, stated on Friday that the Delhi Police were working to satisfy the requests of the protesting wrestlers while also conducting an impartial probe against the head of the wrestling organisation. “A panel was established after a request to form a committee was made. The Delhi Police also filed two FIRs, and the Supreme Court rendered a decision. The probe by the Delhi Police is fair, the Union Minister stated.
The Indian Olympic Association is working towards holding free and fair elections for the Wrestling Federation of India, according to the Union Minister. The protesting wrestlers were greeted by PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar. Leading wrestlers organised a protest against the WFI president earlier this year, and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports subsequently announced the creation of an “oversight committee” to look into claims made against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and a few trainers.
On April 23, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshee Mallik went back to the Jantar Mantar protest site and asserted that despite six female wrestlers and a minor reporting Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for sexual harassment at Connaught Place Police Station, Delhi Police had not filed an FIR. The protesting grapplers also demanded that the Sports Ministry release the Oversight Committee’s report for public consumption. Following the Supreme Court’s notice, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28. The wrestlers who are protesting have made it plain that they won’t stop till Brij Bhushan is arrested and dismissed as the head of the WFI.
