Samyukta Kisan Morcha : Security tightened in Delhi as farmers' union rallies in support of protesting wrestlers
Protesting grapplers at Jantar Mantar have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP, for over 10 days
New Delhi, May 07: In light of allegations of sexual harassment by wrestlers, security has been increased at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for over 10 days demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh and his sacking from the post. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which spearheaded the year-long farmers' protest on the borders of the national capital against the now-repealed farm laws, announced nationwide protests, including in Delhi, to support the protesting wrestlers.
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On Sunday, several leaders of the organisation from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh will visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers, as per an SKM statement. Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij extended his support to the protesting wrestlers near Jantar Mantar and offered to mediate and hold talks with the government on their behalf.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said the Delhi Police was conducting an unbiased investigation against the wrestling federation chief and working to meet the demands of the protesting grapplers. He also stated that free and fair elections of the Wrestling Federation of India have been taken into consideration, and the Indian Olympic Association is working towards it.
On April 23, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshee Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six women wrestlers and a minor filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station, but Delhi Police did not register an FIR. The protesting grapplers also demanded that the Sports Ministry make the findings of the Oversight Committee public.
Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court. The protesting wrestlers have made it clear that they won't move until they get justice, and Brij Bhushan is removed as the WFI chief and put behind bars.