Wrestlers’ Protest Continues On 23rd Day
On Monday, wrestlers marched towards Connaught Palace to protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (chief of the wrestling federation of India). This was the 23rd day of them demanding justice and protesting continually at Jantar Mantar.
Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Azad also joined the march to support the wrestlers. In the last few weeks, wrestlers are continually doing marches and protesting to demand justice while there is no response from the government yet.
Earlier this year, wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, and many others demanded the action against WFI president for his inappropriate behavior towards the players. After a few days at the Jantar Mantar, Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur scheduled a meeting with them to form a committee and assure an action, after which the wrestlers discontinued their protest.
A few months after the first protest’s dismissal, the wrestlers again started protesting at Jantar Mantar. They said there is no proper investigation being done by the committee and they want to lodge a FIR but Delhi Police is not ready to file one. After the intervention of the Supreme Court, the FIR was lodged. But wrestlers are not ready to discontinue the protest saying that the police are not investigating properly.
Olympic Gold Medalist Sakshi Malik said in a statement that they will continue protesting until the police arrest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. They also said they will take this protest to an international level by seeking support from other countries athletes. The wrestlers will write letters to international Olympians to seek their support.
The wrestlers also wrote letters to 43 women legislators from BJP to seek their support. They have also circulated a mobile number and asked their supporters to give a missed call to show their support. A Twitter page also has been created specifically to post protest-related updates.
A few days back the sports minister Anurag Singh Thakur said that wrestlers should have faith in law and order. The protest is receiving huge support from all over the country. Many opposition party leaders are also extending their support to demand justice for the protesters. From Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to Congress’ general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, many known politicians have extended their support.
Since day one of the wrestler’s protest, it has been making headlines on social media and in some of the newspapers. But, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah haven’t spoken anything yet. However, protesters are receiving tremendous support from all over India and some BJP leaders.
Earlier this year, when Anurag Singh Thakur assured the protesters of strict action, a committee was formed led by Mary Kom. After a few days of investigation, the committee submitted its report to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. But, the protesters alleged that the investigation hasn’t been done properly. After which, they started protesting again.
The wrestler in a press conference said that they will continue to protest until they get justice. Even if it takes years, they will continue their fight against this inappropriate behavior of the chief of WFI, wrestlers said.
