#Wrestler Protest in Jantar Mantar

[shaktiknowledgeblog]

Wrestler | Wrestlers Protest | Brijbhushan Singh | Protest | Brijbhushan Singh Facebook Live | Wrestler Protest in Jantar Mantar

Wrestlers Protest: Sentimental appeal to Brijabhushan Sharan Singh’s Khap Panchayat, said- My elders don’t make a mistake He said through Facebook Live that after two-three months, when the investigation report comes out, it should not happen that you have to regret it। So I join hands and say one thing that when the investigation is complete, I will come to your own Khap Panchayat. Image…

[nidarchhattisgarh]

Wrestlers Protest : पहलवानों के धरना प्रदर्शन को लेकर बड़ी खबर 21 मई के बाद ले सकते हैं बड़ा फैसला....पढ़ें पूरी खबर

Wrestlers Protest : पहलवानों के धरना प्रदर्शन को लेकर बड़ी खबर 21 मई के बाद ले सकते हैं बड़ा फैसला….पढ़ें पूरी खबर दिल्ली। WFI के पूर्व प्रमुख बृजभूषण के खिलाफ पहलवानों का धरना प्रदर्शन लगातार जारी है, पहलवानों ने बृजभूषण को गिरफ्तार कर सरकार को उनके खिलाफ कार्रवाई करने के लिए 21 मई तक का समय दिया है। भारतीय कुश्ती महासंघ के प्रमुख रहे बृजभूषण शरण सिंह के खिलाफ यौन उत्पीड़न के आरोपों को लेकर देश…

[simplyamazed]

India pays big price for WFI controversy, lose hosting rights of Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi

Image Source : INDIA TV India pay big price for WFI controversy, lose hosting rights of Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi India have paid a big price for the recent controversy surrounding the administration of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after the sport’s global governing body – United World Wrestling (UWW) took away the rights to host the Asian Wrestling Championships…

[marauderhead]

Vinesh Phogat's win means so much more to me. And listening to Sakshi Malik in the commentary when she won. It was an emotional but such a powerful moment.

I will never forget the visuals of them struggling at Jantar Mantar and how horribly they were treated. How Sakshi had announced her retirement in protest. How Bajrang Punia had given up his accolades.

Those who refused to give justice to these wrestlers will be the ones congratulating Vinesh today.

Thank you so much, Vinesh. Proud of you.

[akilsposts]

Greater than a Medal...

The story of Vinesh Phogat is one of enduring resilience and an athlete's determination to overcome all the odds stacked against her. From being one of the faces of the brave protest against the sexual harassment faced by women wrestlers (including minors) at the hands of the then head of the Wrestling Federation of India and BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Charan Singh, to becoming an unceasing source of inspiration for innumerable people in this country, Vinesh Phogat has become a shining light in not just the sporting history of India but also among those fighting for a safe and better society.

The story is not unfamiliar to the world because the latest chapter of it unfolded at the Olympic Games which was recently held in Paris. The official version is very simple: Having fought through a draw that needed her to beat the defending Olympic Champion, the reigning European Champion, the reigning Pan American champion in each of her rounds, Vinesh had entered the final and was scheduled to face Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA before she was disqualified on the morning of the bout for being 100g above the permissible weight of 50 kg. Vinesh Phogat's disqualification meant that she would end up receiving no medals. However, it is the role of different sporting and political authorities of our country, and all the events that took place leading to the Olympic final that needs our examination as a concerned society.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), as is the case with any other sports-body in India, has long been a rubber-stamp that is invariably controlled by the ruling dispensations. The role of this body in this whole affair is suspect. That the alacrity with which it announced the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the competition was not shown in making an appeal against the decision has not gone unnoticed. Its President, P.T. Usha, has been quick to absolve her organisation from all responsibility in the matter and has covertly and overtly placed the blame on the shoulders of the athlete. The Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, addressing the issue in the Parliament, stooped so low as to declaim about the money the government had spent on Vinesh Phogat's training. At this point, it should not be forgotten that it was this same ministry that had delayed in providing accreditation for Phogat's support staff including her coaches and physiotherapists. The snide and even belittling remarks following the disqualification and the barely concealed glee of many elected representatives of the ruling party point to the deep resentment that they had harboured towards Vinesh. However, the most noticeable was the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following each of Phogat's victorious bouts leading to the final. It was very uncharacteristic because he has always been quick to bask in the reflected glory of the achievements of our sportspersons. It is unsurprising that his social media post after the disqualification was equated to the shedding of crocodile tears by the discerning public.

Vinesh Phogat's achievement can only be understood in its true proportions if we take into account the reason for her being above the permissible weight by a mere 100 grams. This is also the reason why she has been a thorn in the flesh of the authorities in our country. Phogat is an athlete whose normal weight is 55-56 kg. She usually competes in the 53kg weight category. However, she had to forgo all rigorous training during the phase of protest where she and fellow wrestlers and Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia protested for many days and nights on the streets of Delhi at Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan. Not only was she unable to train, she also had to undergo surgery to correct a lingering medical issue. In the meanwhile, the qualifying spot in her preferred 53 kg category was already taken by another wrestler. Fearing that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) would not allow her trials in the 53 kg category as retribution for her role in the protests, she appeared for trials in both the 53 kg and also the 50 kg. Subsequently, she qualified for the Olympics in the 50kg category. In a sport as gruelling as wrestling it is normal for athletes to gain and lose weight between matches. However, the very fact that Vinesh had to lose 5-6 kg just to compete in the Olympics, that too in a category that is not her preferred one speaks volumes about her determination and character. But, the very fact that she was forced to do all these is the result of the constant obstacles that were erected before her by the nefarious authorities, particularly the WFI which continues to be ruled by Brij Bhushan in all but name.

The story of Vinesh Phogat is compelling. She may have been disqualified for reasons beyond her control, and ones which are suspicious to say the least but she has, undoubtedly, won her greatest battle. She had famously proclaimed that she would happily sacrifice her career if it meant that countless other girls would get an opportunity for a safe working environment. She stuck steadfastly to the same goal going into this Olympics. She knew that it would be her last Olympics and that her career would be over but she wanted to fight for the women who would follow in her path. She was actutely aware that a victory at the Olympics, in front of the watching world would be the greatest slap in the face of a system that not only refuses to come to their aid but obstinately shields the criminals who wronged them. Needless to say, the authorities were also well aware of this. Yet, Vinesh's determination has inspired countless who celebrated each of her victories and wanted her to bring home the much coveted gold. The outrage and disappointment at her disqualification soon turned into a universal acknowledgement of the brave fight put up by this undaunted wrestler. If the rousing and heartwarming reception that she received on her return to India is any indication, Vinesh Phogat's and her fellow wrestlers fight has surely stirred the conscience of this country. This is important for a society that continues to stifle women's participation in not just sports, but all public activities. Recent events in our country are evidence that women remain unsafe in the present social atmosphere. It will be through unrelenting protests and collective activities like sports that we will achieve true democratization. Vinesh Phogat's role will forever be etched into the history of this struggle, for in a world where sportspersons and other famous personalities either openly endorse those in power or remain tight lipped to protect their own personal interests, she has fought the hard battle for a cause greater than an Olympic medal.

[news-venue]

Priyanka Gandhi Joins Wrestlers Protest, Asks Cops To Show FIR Copy

The Delhi Police, which functions under Amit Shah's Home Ministry, filed the two first information reports (FIRs) hours after the Supreme Court ordered them to do so.

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met protesting wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar today to express solidarity with their demand for action against the alleged sexual harassment of women athletes by superiors. The wrestlers have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on complaints of sexual harassment.

At the protest venue, the Congress general secretary hit out at the Delhi Police for not providing a copy of the First Information Report, or FIR, filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

"I don't have any expectations from the PM (Narendra Modi), because if he is worried about these wrestlers, then why has he not talked to them or met them yet. Why the govt is trying to save him (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh," she said.

The Delhi Police on Friday filed two cases against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief after the Supreme Court ordered them to do so. One of the FIRs is over a complaint of sexual harassment by a minor, filed under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which gives no scope for bail.

The Delhi Police will pursue the case actively, sources said.

But despite the assurance of police action, the wrestlers said they will continue their sit-in protest demanding the "immediate arrest" of the WFI chief.

"We respect Supreme Court's order, but we don't have faith in Delhi Police. This fight is not for an FIR. This fight is to punish people like him. He needs to be in jail and stripped of his portfolios," the wrestlers said.

Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi had slammed the government, saying that the pleas of the sportspersons, who enhance the country's honour, were being ignored. She had asserted that "when the arrogance of a party and its leaders" is sky high, then such voices are crushed.

Congress leaders such as Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj had also joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar earlier this week to express solidarity with them.

Mr Singh, who is also a BJP MP, welcomed the Supreme Court's order to file the police case into allegations of sexual harassment against him.

Mr Singh told reporters the wrestlers should have waited for the report of a committee that was tasked to look into the matter before they decided to sit on a protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

"I am happy with the judiciary's decision. The Delhi Police will investigate the allegations and I am ready to cooperate with them in every possible way. No one is bigger than the judiciary in this country. The order has come to file an FIR (first information report). The government had also said it had no objection to filing an FIR. I am not larger than the Supreme Court. I welcome the order," Mr Singh told reporters.

[sportsfanda11]

Selection trials priority over WFI elections: PT Usha

File Photo: Rajya Sabha MP and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha during wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI File Photo: Rajya Sabha MP and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha during wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI Indian Olympic…

[flash-fresh]

Will immerse our medals into Ganga, sit on hunger strike at India Gate, say protesting wrestlers

India's top wrestlers, including Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, said they will immerse their medals into river Ganga on Tuesday and then sit on an indefinite hunger strike at India Gate. Since April 23, the grapplers have been protesting against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

India’s top wrestlers, who were recently detained and removed from their protest site at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, have said they will immerse their medals into river Ganga in Haridwar on Tuesday and then sit on an indefinite hunger strike at India Gate.

Wrestlers including Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat, put out a statement on their respective Twitter handles, saying the grapplers would go to Haridwar and immerse their medals into river Ganga at 6 pm.

“These medals are our lives, our souls. There would be no reason to live after immersing them into the Ganga today. We will stage a hunger strike until death at India Gate after that,” read the statement in Hindi.

Since April 23, the grapplers have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by female athletes, including a minor.

Dramatic visuals emerged from the wrestlers’ protest march as hundreds of cops and paramilitary personnel blocked their advance towards Parliament House on May 28. As the protesters tried to breach the security cordon, a fierce tussle broke out — the wrestlers and cops pushed, shoved and grappled with one another.

In the joint statement, the wrestlers said the Prime Minister “who calls us our daughters”, did not even once show his concern for the grapplers. “Rather, he invited the ‘oppressor’ (Brij Bhushan Singh) to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. He even posed for photographs in bright white clothes. We have been stained by this brightness,” it said.

The statement said, “Where is the place for the daughters of India? Have we been reduced to people indulging in mere sloganeering or do we have an agenda to come to power?”

“We are going to immerse these medals into river Ganga… The more sacred we consider the Ganga, the more sacredly we had achieved these medals by toiling hard. These medals are sacred for the whole country and the right place should be in the Ganga itself,” it said.

The protest, which started on April 23, at Jantar Mantar saw heartbreaking visuals on the day of the new Parliament building’s inauguration when Delhi Police cracked down on them in the midst of their march. An FIR was lodged against the wrestlers for taking out the march to the new Parliament building, mentioning that their protest would hamper “national prestige”.

The wrestlers, who resumed their sit-in last month after the first round of protests in January, have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh, also a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaisarganj.

Opposition leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have condemned the Centre over their inaction against Brij Bhushan Singh.

The WFI chief dismissed the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by some female grapplers.

[cavenewstimes]

India court details sexual harassment charges against former wrestling body chief

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and other Indian wrestlers take part in a protest demanding the disbandment of the WFI and the investigation of its head by the police, who they accuse of sexually harassing female players, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India, January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab NEW DELHI, May 10 (Reuters) – A…

[newswatchindia]

Once again, demonstration regarding wrestling started at Jantar Mantar,

Wrestlers protest at Jantar Manta: The crisis that has been going on in Indian wrestling for the last one year took a new turn on Wednesday. Hundreds of junior wrestlers have gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against the loss of an important year of their career. Junior wrestlers have blamed top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for this situation.

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: The following is the timeline of the chain of events that led to the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India by UWW, the sport's global governing body.January 18: Wrestlers begin protest at Jantar Mantar, accuse WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation, demand his resignation and dissolution of the federation.*Brij Bhushan refutes all charges.January 19: Commonwealth Games champion wrestler and BJP member Babita Phogat meets wrestlers, says she will speak to the government.*Protesting wrestlers meet Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at his residence. No solution is found.January 20: Continuing their protest, wrestlers write a complaint letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha, demand the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the allegations and appointment of a new committee to run WFI in consultation with the wrestlers.*IOA forms a seven-member committee, including M C Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.January 21: Wrestlers call off protest late in the night after meeting Thakur.*Sports minister says an Oversight Committee will be formed to probe the allegations and Brij Bhushan will step aside till the probe is completed.*WFI submits response to ministry, denies allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by its president and coaches.January 21: Sports Ministry asks WFI to suspend all ongoing activities with immediate effect, including a ranking tournament in Gonda, UP and schedule emergency AGM meeting of WFI.*Assistant secretary of WFI Vinod Tomar handed suspension.January 23:Formation of five-member Oversight Committee, led by boxing great MC Mary Kom, to look into the allegations*OC given four weeks to complete probe.January 24: Protesting wrestlers express disappointment that they were not consulted by the government on the choice of the committee members.January 31: Babita Phogat joins Oversight Committee.February 23: Oversight Committee's tenure extended by two weeks.April 16: WFI announces election on May 7 after the Oversight Committee's report is submitted to the Sports Ministry. Report not made public.*Singh, who completed three four-year terms in office and is ineligible to contest for the top post under the Sports Code, says he will not contest for president's post.April 23: Wrestlers return to Jantar Mantar, say seven female wrestlers, including a minor, have filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan at the Connaught Place police station. Claim police has not yet registered an FIR.*Wrestlers ask Sports Ministry to make Oversight Committee's findings public.April 24: Sports Ministry stalls scheduled the May 7 elections of WFI. Asks IOA to constitute an ad-hoc committee to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation and also manage the sports body.*Absence of a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act is one of the 'major findings' in the probe report of the Oversight Committee (OC), says Sports Ministry.*Protesting wrestlers threaten to approach the top court of the country if an FIR is not lodged against Brij Bhushan.April 25: Wrestlers' protest take political colour, farmer leaders also support athletes*Wrestlers move Supreme Court seeking registration of FIR against Brij Bhushan.*SC issues notice to Delhi policeApril 27: Formation of three-member panel by IOA.*PT Usha says protesting wrestlers should have shown some discipline and, instead of taking to the streets, should have approached the IOA with their grievances.April 28: Delhi Police registers two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan.*Wrestlers say they will continue their protest against WFI chief until he is sent behind bars.May 3: Scuffle breaks out between the wrestlers and the Delhi Police, leading to head injuries to a couple of protesters.*Protesters accuse "drunk officials of manhandling" them and "misbehaving" with the female wrestlers. The altercation led to detention while some wrestlers also sustained injuries.May 4: Supreme Court closes the proceedings on a plea by three women wrestlers, who have levelled sexual harassment allegations Brij Bhushan, after noting that FIRs have been registered and the seven complainants have been provided adequate security.May 5: Delhi police record statements of wrestlers, who have filed complaints of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.May 10: Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to take NARCO test.May 11: Police records Brij Bhushan's statement.May 28: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with other protesters, booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty, while they attempt to march towards the new Parliament, which is being inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.May 30: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) condemn the police's handling and detention of the Indian wrestlers, calling it "very disturbing."*Wrestlers arrive in Haridwar to immerse medals.June 3: Home Minister Amit Shah meets wrestlers.June 8: Father of the minor wrestler tells PTI that they deliberately filed a false police complaint of sexual harassment against WFI chief because they wanted to get back at him.June 7: Protest halted after Thakur assures them that the police investigation against Brij Bhushan would be concluded by then and the pending WFI elections would be conducted by June 30.June 8: IOA includes noted coaches Gyan Singh and Ashok Garg in the ad-hoc committee that is running the WFI.June 12: IOA appoints former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer.June 13: WFI election scheduled for July 6, says returning officer.June 15: Delhi Police files charge sheet before court.June 19: IOA ad-hoc panel calls five disaffiliated state wrestling units for hearing on June 21.June 21: The IOA ad-hoc panel reschedules WFI elections to July 11 after five disaffiliated state bodies, seeking voting rights for the polls, present their cases in a hearing.June 22: The IOA ad-hoc panel reduces upcoming Asian Games and World Championship selection to a one-bout competition for six protesting wrestlers.June 23: Several coaches, parents of wrestlers demand withdrawal of exemption given to six wrestlers.June 25: The Gauhati High Court stays WFI elections, scheduled for July 11, on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association.July 12: The IOA ad-hoc committee decides to hold much-awaited wrestling trials for the Asian Games on July 22 and 23.July 18: Delhi court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan Singh.*Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat get direct entries into the Asian Games.July 19: Young wrestlers hit Hisar streets to protest against "unfair trial exemption" for Bajrang and Vinesh*WFI election scheduled for August 7.July 20: Many junior wrestlers, their parents and coaches reach IOA headquarters , demand withdrawal of exemption granted to Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia from the Asian Games trials.*WFI election rescheduled for August 12.August 11: Punjab and Haryana High Court stay WFI elections scheduled for August 12, following a petition filed by the Haryana Wrestling Association.Aug 14: Trials for World Championships scheduled for August 25-26 in Patiala.August 15: Vinesh Phogat pulls out of Asian Games due to knee injury.August 23: Wresting world governing body UWW suspends WFI for not conducting its elections on time.!(function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) ; var TimesApps = window.TimesApps; TimesApps.toiPlusEvents = function(config) var isConfigAvailable = "toiplus_site_settings" in f && "isFBCampaignActive" in f.toiplus_site_settings && "isGoogleCampaignActive" in f.toiplus_site_settings; var isPrimeUser = window.isPrime; if (isConfigAvailable && !isPrimeUser) loadGtagEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isGoogleCampaignActive); loadFBEvents(f.toiplus_site_settings.isFBCampaignActive); else var JarvisUrl=" window.getFromClient(JarvisUrl, function(config) if (config) loadGtagEvents(config?.isGoogleCampaignActive); loadFBEvents(config?.isFBCampaignActive); ) ; )( window, document, 'script', ); [ad_2]

[thedhananjayaparkhe]

Everything That Went Down At The Jantar Mantar Protests: Wrestlers vs WFI — A Timeline

Give them the justice they deserve! by Sanyukta Thakare  April 26, 2023 https://in.mashable.com/culture/51575/everything-that-went-down-at-the-jantar-mantar-protests-wrestlers-vs-wfi-a-timeline

[theancienttimesnews]

wrestlers protest abandoned: fight will continue in the court, not on streets anymore

A span of six months after they had sat on a Dharna in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar accusing the sideline wrestling Federation of India (WFI )chief Brij Bhusan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing female tusslers . wrestlers have called off their protest There was a statement been circulated on social media, the protesting wrestlers have mentioned that they will continue fighting the battle against Singh…

[newspilot]

Wrestling Body Chief Questioned Twice By Delhi Police: Sources

Two police cases have been filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. New Delhi: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the country's Wrestling Federation chief and BJP MP accused of sexually harassing some of the country's top wrestlers, have been questioned twice by the Delhi police, sources have said. The police -- who have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter -- have questioned around 200 people in the case as well, sources said. The police, sources said, will file a status report in the court, listing the details of all the inquiries they have held so far. Sources said the police have looked into every allegation and questioned the people allegedly present at the time. On April 29, two separate police cases were filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, after allegations of sexual harassment by seven wrestlers, one of them a minor. The cases were filed after the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police. One of them is under POCSO, the stringent law against sexual assault of children. The MP, who is yet to be arrested, has denied any wrongdoing and accused the wrestlers of framing him. He has also challenged the wrestlers to undergo narco-analysis along with him to settle the issue. The row, on since January, exploded in April, with the wrestlers holding a public protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding his arrest. Farmers and khaps from Haryana joined in to show support. On May 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament, the Delhi Police cracked down a protest the wrestlers had planned to hold near the building. Visuals of champions Vinesh Phogat and her cousin Sangeeta Phogat being manhandled and pinned onto the ground by the police were widely circulated, evoking shock and outrage across the country. Last week, the wrestlers went to Haridwar to consign their medals in Ganga, days after the Delhi Police crackdown. They postponed their plan after intervention by farmer leader Naresh Tikait. On Saturday, some of the protesting wrestlers had an hour-long meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In an interview with NDTV, ace wrestler Bajrang Punia denied rumours that they have reached a settlement. "The athletes aren't satisfied with the government's response, neither is the government agreeing with our demands," he told NDTV. Source link Read the full article

[all-about-news24x7]

Sakshi, Bajrang rejoin duties in Railways, refute claims of withdrawing from protest (Ld) – Bhaskar Live

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have resumed their duties in the Railways, following their eviction from Jantar Mantar on May 28, sources said. As per reports, records from the Northern Railways headquarters show Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik joined her Baroda House office here on May 31, a day after the trio stopped short of…

[creative-pens]

Wrestlers meet Amit Shah; To stay united, wrestlers to hold own mahapanchayat soon, Bajrang Punia

The wrestlers put forward their demands before Amit Shah who assured them that the probe will be impartial, a source told TNIE.

NEW DELHI: India’s top wrestlers, who are protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the sidelined chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday night.

It is learnt that Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with two-time World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat had a meeting with Home Minister Shah at his residence in New Delhi. The meeting lasted for more than an hour, sources told TNIE.

“The meeting started at around 11 PM. It continued till midnight. The wrestlers put forward their demands before Shah who assured them that the probe will be impartial,” a source in the know things told TNIE. Notably, the wrestlers met Shah in the past as well.

A day before their march towards the new Parliament on May 28, Sakshi, along with her husband Satyawart Kadian and a few Khap leaders, had met Amit Shah. However, the meeting could not fetch desired results as wrestlers tried to breach the security cordon put in place at Jantar Mantar the next day. The Delhi police later detained all the protesting wrestlers and even registered FIRs against them. The protest site was also cleared barring the grapplers to return to the place to continue the protest. “Wrestlers once again demanded immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan but the Home Minister told them that arrest could only be made by police after completion of the investigation,” added the source.

Wrestlers’ mahapanchayat

Meanwhile, a mahapanchayat was held in Mundlana, Sonepat (Haryana) on Sunday to express solidarity with protesting wrestlers. Bajrang attended the meeting. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, Bharat Rashtra Kisan Samithi’s Gurnam Singh Chaduni and others also attended mahapanchayat.

Speaking on the occasion, Bajrang urged the Khap leaders and farmer organisations not to hold multiple mahapanchayats. “Bajrang said these panchayats are sending wrong messages and developing a perception that the wrestlers have been pushed to the background. He instead announced that the wrestlers will soon hold a mahapanchayat to discuss the future course of action,” said a source who attended the mahapanchayat.

Referring to their earlier plans to immerse their medals in the Ganga river, Punia said: “These have left our wrestler sisters and daughters broken. We will hold one mahapanchayat and will give a call for that. We will decide on the venue. We want to bring everyone together for that panchayat, we don’t want us to be divided.”

He said their battle was not for any particular caste but for honour and respect. “If we remain divided, we cannot win.”