Protesting wrestlers: There is no end in sight to the long-standing impasse between the Wrestling Federation of India and protesting wrestlers. On May 9, the star wrestlers gave an ultimatum to the Centre till May 21 to resolve their problems. As the ultimatum ends today with no assurance from the government, the wrestlers are set to announce their next plan of action.
Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malikalong with Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since April 23. They are demanding action against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.
Farmers support wrestlers
Several organisations, including farmers, have extended support to the protesting wrestlers. Earlier this month many farmers broke through police barricades to join the protest at Jantar Mantar.
The protestors had said that they will take their “agitation global” by approaching Olympic medalists and athletes from other countries and reiterated the “big call” if no action is taken against Singh by May 21.
In the last week of April, the Delhi Police had registered two FIRs in connection with the sexual harassment allegations against Singh. The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor and is registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty have also been used in the FIR, reports said.
A police officer said investigation into both the FIRs was being taken up in right earnest.
Wrestlers upset with Anurag Thakur
The wrestling protestors are upset with Union sports minister Anurag Thakur as well. They alleged that he tried to hush up the complaints regarding sexual harassment by forming an oversight committee instead of taking concrete action.
The wrestlers had earlier staged a protest in January but later called it off after being assured that the government would probe the matter and a five-member panel was formed to look into the allegations of sexual harassment against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
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