Top wrestlers return to official duty, but warn that protest against WFI chief will continue

New Delhi: Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia resumed their duties on Monday but warned that their ongoing protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) will continue till they get justice. Talking to reporters, the wrestlers said that they will continue wrestling. Fought for justice and insisted that no wrestler has backed down and will not back down.

“This news is completely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down and we will not back down. Along with Satyagraha, I am doing my duty in Railways. Our fight is on till we get justice. Please Don’t spread any rumours.” Wrong news,” tweeted Malik after reports of him walking away from the protest surfaced. Even Bajrang tweeted similar to his national colleague and termed the reports of withdrawal of FIR as “completely untrue”.

“The news of withdrawal of agitation is just a rumour. This news is being spread to harm us. We have neither withdrawn nor have we withdrawn the agitation. The news of withdrawal of FIR by women wrestlers is also false. The fight will continue till then.” Justice is served,” Bajrang said.

Top wrestlers of the country protesting against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and demanded action against the WFI president. According to reports, a meeting took place between the agitating wrestlers and the Home Minister on Saturday night. The meeting at Amit Shah’s residence lasted till midnight, during which the wrestlers demanded an early charge sheet against Brij Bhushan.

Amit Shah, after listening to the wrestlers, assured an early solution to their problems. The wrestlers had earlier met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur who assured them of a fair probe into their allegations. The late-night meeting with Amit Shah came days after the wrestlers went to Haridwar to immerse their medals in the Ganges, but was stopped by farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who urged the government to arrest Brijbhushan Sharan Singh before June 9. The ultimatum was given.

Farmers’ ultimatum to the Center on the opposition of wrestlers

It may be noted that Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), had on Friday warned the Center that if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, facing allegations of sexual harassment of the country’s top wrestlers, was not arrested by June 9. So farmer leaders should organize panchayats across the country in support of wrestlers.

Tikait, who attended a khap panchayat organized here to express solidarity with the wrestlers, also said he would go to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if the demands were not met within the stipulated time. Tikait said, “We have decided that the government should address the grievances of the wrestlers and he (Brijbhushan Sharan Singh) should be arrested, otherwise we along with the wrestlers will go to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 9 and hold panchayats across the country.” ” ,

The Khap leaders also said that if the dharna is not held at Jantar Mantar on June 9, then the agitation will be announced. A Khap mahapanchayat was held in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar on Thursday to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi participated in the mahapanchayat on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat along with their supporters went to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to immerse their medals in the river Ganges. But after farmer leaders persuaded them not to take the drastic step, the wrestlers decided not to throw their medals in the river. Farmer leaders have asked for five days time to address their grievances.

Two FIRs against WFI chief

Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against WFI chief Singh. While the first FIR pertains to the allegations of a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, the second pertains to outraging modesty. Singh, however, alleged on Thursday that the protesting wrestlers were constantly changing their “demands and language” and said he still stood by his statement that if even one of the allegations leveled against him was found to be true, he would kill himself. Will hang him.

He said, “…first they (the protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they made some other demand. They are constantly changing their demands and language. I had said that if even a single case is proved against me If he goes, I will hang myself.” I stand by my statement..” Brij Bhushan told the media in Gonda.

Bajrang, Sakshi along with fellow Olympian and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat are protesting against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest for sexual assault charges against seven wrestlers, including a minor. Has been done.

It should also be mentioned that all the three Indian internationals have returned to work as Office on Special Duty (Northern Railway) since last week.