New Delhi: The 31-member committee that’s advising the protesting wrestlers on Sunday stated if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh isn’t arrested by May 21, it would take a “significant decision”, whilst Vinesh Phogat insisted that their protest has not been hijacked by farmers.
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.
“Many leaders from Khap panchayat and SKM attended the meeting today. We decided that members from every khap will come to the protest site every day. They will stay here during the day and return by the evening,” Tikait stated earlier than an enormous gathering.
“The wrestlers’ committee will take care of the protest and we will support the wrestlers from outside. We have scheduled a meeting for May 21. If the government does not offer a resolution, we will devise our next strategy,” he added.
“If any emergency arises, if the wrestlers face any problem, the entire nation stands behind them.” 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 a whole bunch have been seen on the protest website on Sunday as a ‘Mahapanchayat’ mentioned the following transfer on behalf of the wrestlers. The scenes have been just like the farmers’ protest that continued for 13 months till the federal government repealed the regulation.
The Delhi Police have recorded statements of the seven girls 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 girls wrestlers over a time period and have demanded his elimination.
Tikait stated the tri-colour has been shamed and it’ll not be tolerated.
“We will help the wrestlers in every possible manner,” he stated, including that it is going to be a protracted haul and it could unfold to the whole 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 organization. But a few politicians have come in support of the wrestlers, cutting across party lines.” Sirsa stated, “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 stated, referring to the farmers’ victory in getting the farm legal guidelines repealed.
Vinesh Phogat, the world championship medallist, additionally hinted that the protest could turn into larger if their calls for aren’t 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 stated.
“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 negatively.
“We will compete definitely. We will prepare a plan for 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 stated.
