Farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Mehar Singh together with wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat converse with the media throughout wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on May 7, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Various farmer leaders joined the wrestlers protesting towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday and gave a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government to arrest him and mentioned that the long run plan of action can be determined after that.
The resolution was taken at a gathering, attended by representatives of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), khap leaders, wrestlers and members of a 31-member committee that’s advising the gamers on their motion, on the sidelines of a mahapanchayat which was organised within the nationwide capital in help of the grapplers.Â
Addressing the media after the assembly, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait mentioned that one other assembly had been scheduled for May 21 and if Mr. Singh was not arrested by then, the leaders would take a “big decision” to intensify the motion.
Various wrestlers, together with Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have been staging a protest towards Mr. Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment.
At the press convention, Ms. Phogat mentioned that their protest had not been hijacked by the farmer leaders however the “elders have only extended their support to our fight”.
Mr. Tikait mentioned that the wrestlers would take choices associated to the protest and that the farmer leaders would solely help them from outdoors. “Everyday members of various khaps will come to Delhi for the protest and return by the evening,” he added.
Other farmer leaders reminiscent of Khap Maham 24 chief Mehar Singh and Sankyut Kisan Morcha (non-political) leaders Baldev Singh Sirsa have been among the many tons of of protesters who joined the grapplers in the course of the mahapanchayat.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, Khap Maham 24 chief Mehar Singh and Sankyut Kisna Morcha’s (non-political) Baldev Singh Sirsa joined the wrestlers on the dias and addressed the media.
There has been a heavy deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) on the protest website with many khap leaders and farmers becoming a member of the aggrieved wrestlers.
The turbaned farmers, clad in dhoti-kurtas, and numbering in tons of have been seen on the protest website on Sunday as a ‘Mahapanchayat’ mentioned the subsequent transfer on behalf of the wrestlers.
The scenes have been comparable to the farmers’ protest that continued for 13 months till the federal government repealed the regulation.
The Delhi Police have recorded statements of the seven ladies complainants beneath part 161 whereas the statements beneath 164 (earlier than a Justice of the Peace) beneath Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) are but to be recorded.
The wrestlers have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation of a number of ladies wrestlers over a time period and have demanded his removing.
Mr. Tikait mentioned the tri-colour has been shamed and it’ll not be tolerated.
“We will help the wrestlers in every possible manner,” he mentioned, including that it is going to be an extended haul and it could unfold to your entire nation.
“It (Jantar Mantar) will remain the protest site as of now. The protest will gather momentum and spread. We have to be prepared for a long battle,” he added.
“This is not a political protest, this is a non-political organisation. But a few politicians have come in support of the wrestlers, cutting across party lines.”
Mr. Sirsa mentioned, “We have also decided that we will force the government to arrest Brij Bhushan. The way farmers had fought their battle (against farm laws), the wrestlers will continue their struggle in the same way.”
“I request that the government does not test our patience. They had tested us some time back and we had cleared the exam,” Sirsa mentioned, referring to the farmers’ victory in getting the farm legal guidelines repealed.
Vinesh Phogat, the world championship medallist, additionally hinted that the protest might turn into larger if their calls for will not be met.
“We can take a big call if a resolution does not come by May 21. No one has hijacked our protest, it’s just that people have joined us in our fight against injustice. These people respect us and care for our dignity,” she mentioned.
“All the women can connect to this battle of ours. The supporters have given us strength. We are ready to fight.”
Asked if they’re mentally ready to shun coaching and competitors for a very long time, she replied in unfavourable.
“We will compete definitely. We will prepare a plan how to go about it. We will surely go for competitions.”
“We have just one demand that Brij Bhushan should be first arrested and then his interrogation should take place,” she mentioned.
(with inputs from PTI)
