Opposing wrestlers: Protesting Indian wrestlers on Sunday announced the end of their agitation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protesting wrestlers said that the fight against Brij Bhushan will not be fought on the road but in the court. The move came a day after they asserted that they may hit the streets to resume their agitation against the WFI chief. The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of the WFI chief in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment leveled by the wrestlers.
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia posted identical tweets where they said the government has kept its promise of filing a charge sheet against Singh. “In this case, the struggle of the wrestlers will continue till we get justice, but it (fight) will be in the court, not on the street,” read the statement on Twitter.
taking a break from social media
“With regard to reforms in the WFI, as promised, the election process has begun. We will wait for the fulfillment of the promises made by the government regarding the July 11 elections.” Minutes after posting the statement, Vinesh and Sakshi tweeted that they were taking a break from social media for a few days.
The move comes after the police filed charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against Singh earlier this month following complaints from several women wrestlers and growing resentment over the delay. Singh, who has been relieved of administrative responsibilities, denies all the allegations. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to three years. One of his aides said the legislator “will continue to cooperate with the police and respect the court’s decision”.
On Saturday, in a live address on social media, the three wrestlers leading the protest had said that their fight against Mr Singh would continue, and they were deliberating on how to proceed after evaluating the charge sheet filed against him. How to continue the campaign
A police officer probing the case has said that over 155 people have been questioned in the probe following months of complaints from the country’s top wrestlers, including several Olympic and Asian Games medallists.
Jantar Mantar protest
After being removed from Jantar Mantar on 28 May, the wrestlers postponed their protest till 15 June after receiving assurance from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur that by then a charge sheet would be filed against Singh and any member of his family would be arrested. Will not be allowed to contest WFI elections. ,
The wrestlers, who received overwhelming support from farmer leaders, khap panchayats and several other organisations, sat at Jantar Mantar for 38 days, after which the Delhi Police took them into custody on 28 May for violating law and order . He came to Jantar Mantar for the first time on January 18 and was suspended. Their three-day sit-in came after Thakur promised to probe her allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against 66-year-old Singh, a six-time BJP MP.
(with PTI inputs)