7th May 2023 Mumbai: Wrestlers’ protest: Committee sets May 21 as the deadline for Brij Bhushan’s arrest; protest is not being taken up by farmers.
The 31-member committee assisting the wrestlers’ protest announced on Sunday that it will make a “significant decision” if WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not detained by May 21. Vinesh Phogat emphasised that farmers had not taken advantage of the wrestlers’ protest.
Rakesh Tikait of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Mehar Singh of Khap Maham 24, and Baldev Singh Sirsa of the Sankyut Kisan Morcha (non-political) joined the wrestlers on the dias and spoke to the media.
The conference was attended by a large number of SKM and Khap panchayat leaders today. We determined that participants from each khap will visit the protest location each day. Before a sizable crowd, Tikait declared, “They will stay here during the day and return by the evening.
“The wrestlers’ committee will handle the protest, and we will provide outside support for the wrestlers. The 21st of May is the date set for our meeting. We will develop our next plan if the government doesn’t provide a solution, he continued.
The entire country will support the wrestlers in case of emergency or difficulty. In the evening, the wrestlers marched by candlelight with hundreds of fans. As the wrestlers walked holding hands, chants of “inqalab jindabad” echoed across the arena. Just before the march began, patriotic songs like “Mera Rang de basanti chola” were performed.
More than 500 people, including many women, from organisations like Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Delhi Police, and the CRPF were deployed at the protest site in anticipation of a sizable crowd showing support for the wrestlers.
The dhoti-kurta-wearing farmers with turbans were spotted at the protest site on Sunday while a “Mahapanchayat” deliberated the wrestlers’ future course of action.
The protest by farmers, whichh lasted for 13 months before the government rescinded the law, was reminiscent of these events.
The seven female complainants’ statements have been recorded by the Delhi Police in accordance with section 161, but those made in accordance with section 164 (before a magistrate) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have not yet been recorded.
The wrestlers have requested the resignation of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan after accusing him of sexually exploiting multiple female wrestlers over a period of time.
The tri-color has been disgraced, according to Tikait, and it won’t be permitted.
He added that it would take time and might affect the whole nation but that “we will help the wrestlers in every possible way.”
“As of right now, Jantar Mantar will continue to be a protest location. The demonstration will pick up steam and spread. We need to be ready for a protracted war, he continued.
“This is a non-political organisation; this is not a political protest. However, a few lawmakers from different parties have come out in favour of the wrestlers. “We’ve also decided that we’ll pressure the government to detain Brij Bhushan,” Sirsa remarked. The wrestlers will continue to fight in the same manner in which farmers fought the battle (against farm laws). “I ask that the government not put us to the test.
In reference to the farmers’ success in getting the farm rules overturned, Sirsa said, “They had tested us some time before and we had cleared the exam.
The world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat also made a suggestion that if their requests are not honoured, the protest can grow in size.
If a solution is not found by May 21, we may make a significant decision. No one has taken control of our demonstration; instead, more individuals have joined us in our struggle against injustice. These folks value our dignity and respect us, she remarked.
“This battle of ours can resonate with all women. Our supporters have strengthened us. We are prepared to battle. She responded in the negative when asked if they are mentally equipped to forego training and competition for an extended period of time.
“We will absolutely compete. We’ll create a strategy for how to approach it. Without a doubt, we’ll enter competitions. We only ask that Brij Bhushan be detained first, and then we will demand that he be questioned, she stated.
–by Kashvi Gala