Wrestlers Protest: Khap Panchayat leaders and Farmer Unions on their way to Delhi, security tightened

On May 7, Khap Panchayat leaders and members of farmer unions are marching towards Delhi to join the wrestlers in their protest against alleged sexual abuse, the security at the protest site has been tightened.

India’s ace wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for almost two weeks now. The wrestlers demand the arrest of the chairperson of the Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI),  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in an alleged case of sexual abuse against female wrestlers.

A few days back while interacting with the media wrestler Bajrang Punia on camera said, bring the tractors, referring to the farm protesters. The protesting wrestlers are hoping that the khap mahapanchayat joining their protest will be of huge success and will help in getting more support for them in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

As per an Indian Express report, farmer unions have threatened to lay siege to Delhi if action is not taken against Singh in a week’s time.

The Farm Protest fame and farmers leader Rakesh Tikait is likely to join the protest. As quoted by the news agency PTI, Tikait said, “They (protesting wrestlers) have our full support. We will decide today (on future course of action). Arrest (of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) must be done when FIR has been registered”.

Sarv Khap General Secretary Subhash Baliyan said that around a dozen Khap panchayats were scheduled to join the protests to support the wrestlers. They would remain at the protest site until their demands were fulfilled.

Chaudhary Surender Solanki, Khap president Palam said, “The protest will continue till these kids (protesting wrestlers) get justice but how we take it forward, that will be decided by all of us today”.

The police have deployed extra force to maintain law and order in the area. All zones close to Jantar Mantar have been cordoned off. Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has appealed to the countrymen to observe a candlelight march on May 7 to show solidarity with the protesting wrestlers. Punia said the two committees formed on May 6 have the full authority to decide their future course of action.

As per a Hindustan Times report, Delhi Police officials said there were no specific security plans for the candlelight march, but said tractors and slow-moving vehicles trying to enter the border would not be allowed and precautions will be taken to maintain peace and order.

In a statement, Vinesh Phogat requested protesters to maintain peace and urged police not to stop the protesters. Sakshi Malik said in her statement she was yet to decide the next course of action, and her lawyers were working on the plan. She further said Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had not approached them yet. She said, “He already knows our demands, so it doesn’t make sense to meet him again. If he wants to talk to us, we will definitely talk.”

In a statement shared by PTI, a farmer leader said, “Our protest (to support wrestlers) is for one day (today). If the government doesn’t find a solution, we will consider what to do next.”

Notably, the wrestler’s protest started back in January this year after which the court directed the Delhi police to initiate a probe against Singh. An FIR for the same has been registered against him. In the fresh protest, the wrestlers demanded the arrest of the WFI president.

Meanwhile, Singh released a video statement and said he would hang himself if a single allegation against him was proven.

The Home Minister of Haryana Anil Vij also extended support to the protesting wrestlers. He said, “This entire matter is now being addressed at the highest level. Since I have also been a sports minister, my sympathies and support are with the protesting wrestlers. If they want me to meditate and talk to the government, I am willing to do so.”