Opposing wrestlers: It was another eventful day (Tuesday, May 30) in the weeks-long protest by top wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations . ,
- Protest reached Haridwar: On a drama-filled Tuesday, some of India’s best wrestlers gathered on the banks of the Ganges here along with hundreds of supporters, threatened to immerse their world and Olympic medals in the holy river, but refused after persuasion by khap and farmer leaders . Five days to address their grievances. Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat arrived at Har Ki Pauri to immerse their medals in the Ganges. Sakshi, Vinesh and their cousin Sangeeta were seen trying to be consoled by their husbands while hundreds of their supporters formed a circle around them. After reaching Har Ki Pauri, the wrestlers stood silently for about 20 minutes.
- Brijbhushan Sharan Singh’s response: The WFI chief said, ‘Let the investigation happen, it is in the hands of the Delhi Police. If found wrong then arrest will also happen.
- No Medal Immersion: As the deadline for the immersion of medals was nearing, senior farmer leaders Sham Singh Malik and Naresh Tikait sought five days’ time from the wrestlers to resolve the issue. Wrestler Jitendra Kinha, who was part of the protesting group, said, “Khap leaders put their turbans in front of us and told us not to give up hope.” Har ki Pauri witnessed chaotic scenes as khap and farmer leaders broke human chains of supporters to reach the rioters, even as thousands of devotees, who had gathered on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, reigned supreme as ruckus Looked surprised.
- Stand of Sports Ministry: After the wrestlers announced that they would surrender their medals, sources in the Sports Ministry said that the trophies and medals also belong to the country. “The medals won by the wrestlers are not theirs alone but the country’s as they played under the Indian flag and their medals have been won not only by the efforts of the wrestlers but also by their hard work. ” Many people like their coaches, support staff,” a source in the ministry told PTI. He added that crores of taxpayers’ money has gone into their training.
- Can’t protest at India Gate: After being evicted from Jantar Mantar on May 28, the wrestlers have said that they will continue their protest and will be on hunger strike “till death” at India Gate. However, the Delhi Police said on Tuesday that they would not be allowed to protest at India Gate as it is “a national monument and not a venue for demonstrations”.
- Khaps and farmers: Haryana’s ‘Khaps’ and farmers’ organizations were among those organizations that on Tuesday appealed to the protesting wrestlers not to immerse their medals in the Ganges. Throwing his weight behind the protesting wrestlers, Phogat khap leader Balwant Nambardar had said, “We request them that these medals are the result of their hard work, sacrifice of their families and support of the society. They should not take this step.” Needed.” It is unfortunate that those representing the country in top international tournaments are forced to take such decisions. The government should be ashamed and they should be given justice in this matter. Haryana BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni also urged the protesting wrestlers not to immerse their medals, saying the awards were part of national heritage and future generations would draw inspiration from them.
- Countrywide protest against SKM Farmers’ organization Samyukta Kisan Morcha has called for a nationwide protest on June 1 in support of wrestlers demanding the arrest of BJP MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. The United Kisan Morcha said in a statement that it called for a nationwide agitation “to secure the democratic right to protest by Indian wrestlers” and all other sections of society and “to demand the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran”. Is. Singh”. The morcha will coordinate with fora of all other sections, including trade unions, women, youth, students and intellectuals, to hold demonstrations across India.
- UWW Condemnation: The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Tuesday condemned the detention of India’s top wrestlers during their protest at Jantar Mantar and threatened action if the national federation fails to hold its elections within the stipulated time. will be suspended. The world body said it is monitoring the protests by wrestlers against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually assaulting several women.
- Reaction of opposition leaders: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Modi government for demanding action against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
- Muhammad Ali Incident: The whole episode is reminiscent of the 1960 incident when the great Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, threw his Olympic gold medal into the Ohio River to protest racial segregation in America. However, after spending an hour and 45 minutes there, he returned after several khaps and political leaders urged him not to take such an extreme step.
(with PTI inputs)