‘These girls will not be defeated’: Rakesh Tikait stands strong with wrestlers; khap representative will meet President Murmu

Rakesh Tikait said, “A number of resolutions were taken by the khap leader and more will issues will be discussed and resolved in Kurukshetra on Friday.”

“This fight will go on…the khap and these girls will not be defeated. No injustice will be done to them,” Rakesh said at the meeting.

A ‘mahapanchayat’ was called by BKU leader Naresh Tikait, who is the head of Balyan khap, in Soram village in Uttar Pradesh. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Asked by a reporter on the future course of action, Naresh said, “Two resolutions were taken today at the ‘mahapanchayat’, they will be announced at Kurukshetra tomorrow.”

On Tuesday, Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat went to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar along with their supporters to throw their medals in the Ganga. However, they relented after khap and farmer leaders sought five days’ time to address their grievances.

The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty.

The mahapanchayat was attended by khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Singh, who has repeatedly denied all charges against him, said on Wednesday that he would hang himself if a single allegation is proved against him.

Addressing a press conference later on Thursday in Gonda district to highlight the achievements of nine years of the Modi government, Singh said alleged that the protesting wrestlers have been constantly changing their “demands” and he would “hang” himself if their allegations are proved to be true.

“…First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself…I stand by my statement..,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Anurag Thakur urged the wrestlers to trust the police as the probe against Singh is still underway.

“The wrestlers should wait for Delhi Police to conclude their investigation and not take any steps that may cause harm to the sport or aspiring wrestlers. They should trust the police, SC and the ministry while the investigation is being carried out. We all are in favour of the sport and sportspersons and want the impartial investigation to be done and action to be taken against the ones found guilty,” said the minister.

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