Wrestlers Protest Update: Security was beefed up at Jantar Mantar in the national capital today (May 7) after the United Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced that it would hold protests across the country, including in Delhi, in support of the protesting wrestlers. Wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past 10 days demanding the arrest and sacking of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment by the wrestlers.
According to a SKM statement on Saturday (May 6), on Sunday several leaders of the organization from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers. Notably, the SKM had led the year-long farmers’ protest at the borders of the national capital against the now repealed farm laws.
Security increased at Singhu border:
Prior to the farmers’ call in support of the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Police has put up barricades at the Singhu border and also deployed soil-laden dumpers to deal with any untoward incident. A large number of police personnel have been deployed at the Singhu border and the police have made several rows of barricades.
Farmers from Punjab and Haryana are expected to join the protest against the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. “Precautionary steps have been taken by the police to deal with any untoward situation. We want to maintain the law and order situation,” the police said. A source told that this has been done to take quick action.
If the border has to be closed suddenly, then the road can be closed by placing a dumper ahead. “Since a large number of tractors and other vehicles are expected, it will be a challenge for the police to intercept them and hence all these preparations are being made,” the source said.
Although the police have put up barricades, but the traffic is smooth at the Singhu border. Police is keeping an eye on everyone who enters Delhi. The Singhu border is on National Highway 44, which connects Delhi to Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and hence if farmers reach here by tractor, it could lead to massive traffic and law and order situation .
Political donation on the opposition of wrestlers:
On Friday, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij extended his support to the protesting wrestlers near Jantar Mantar. Speaking to ANI, the Haryana Home Minister said that he has full sympathy and support for the protesting wrestlers. He also assured the wrestlers that he was ready to mediate and negotiate with the government on their behalf. opposing wrestlers. If they want me to meditate and talk to the government, I am ready to do so.
Besides this, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday (May 5) said that the Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation against the wrestling federation chief and is working to fulfill the demands of the protesting wrestlers.
The Union Minister said, “There was a demand to form a committee and a panel was constituted. Two FIRs have also been registered by the Delhi Police and the Supreme Court has also given its verdict. Delhi Police is conducting an impartial investigation. ” The Union Minister said that free and fair elections of the Wrestling Federation of India have been kept in mind and the Indian Olympic Association is working in this direction.
On Wednesday, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. On 23 April, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six female wrestlers, and a minor, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh at the Connaught Place police station But the Delhi Police did not register an FIR. The protesting wrestlers also demanded that the Sports Ministry make public the findings of the inspection committee.
Following the Supreme Court’s notice, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs on April 28. Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to protest against the WFI chief, following which the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of a ‘watchdog’. The committee will look into the allegations against WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches. The protesting wrestlers have made it clear that they will not budge until they get justice and Brij Bhushan is removed from the post of WFI chief and put behind bars.
(with inputs from agencies)
Read also: Wrestlers protest: Delhi Police records statements of 7 women players in cases against WFI chief