Wrestler protest: Haryana CM Khattar suggests talks the right way, ally JJP demands ‘strictest action’ on FIRs

On Thursday, there were reports of those travelling towards Delhi to lend support to the wrestlers ensuring that no toll was collected at plazas along several national and state highways – much like during the farmers’ protests.

Also, just like those protests over the three contentious farm laws had done, the allegations by the wrestlers of sexual harassment against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have the two ruling parties in Haryana divided.

Khattar’s hands are tied to the actions of the central BJP leadership, which has so far not taken any action against Brij Bhushan, and it remains to be seen how long the JJP plays along.

Deputy Chief Minister and senior JJP leader Dushyant Chautala has come out in support of the protesting wrestlers and demanded that “strictest possible action” be taken on the FIRs registered on their complaints. However, no JJP leader has visited the protesting wrestlers so far.

Asked about the agitation by the wrestlers on Thursday, while he was in Karnal, Khattar told reporters “the issue is not related to Haryana”. “It is related to players’ teams and the Union government. The Supreme Court has already ordered registration of FIRs… An investigation shall follow.”

Indicating that he did not agree with the method adopted by the wrestlers, Khattar added: “Rather than raising questions, a path of talks should be followed. When talks take place, matters are resolved. Regarding the allegations, how far they are true or not — when the matter is in the notice of the Supreme Court, I am sure the truth will come out.”

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, who previously held the sports portfolio, has been more forthright in proclaiming support for the wrestlers. Speaking in Ambala on Friday, the BJP leader offered to intervene in the matter. “This entire issue is being taken up at the highest level. I, myself, have been a sports minister, I am completely with the players (protesting wrestlers). If I am required to talk to the higher-ups in the (Union) government, I shall do that, so that this issue is respectfully resolved,” he said.

Sensing that the issue hits home for many families in the state, the Opposition in Haryana has been attacking the ruling BJP and JJP, accusing them of not taking adequate care of “daughters of the state who are protesting on roads”.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda has been regularly visiting the Jantar Mantar protest site to express his support for the wrestlers, including on Thursday, after there were reports of a scuffle with the police at the site.

His father Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of Opposition in Haryana and two-time former CM, has also visited the wrestlers and extended his full support to them. In a statement on Thursday’s scuffle, he said: “The job of the police is not to torture victims but to provide them justice. The pictures from the protest site that came in yesterday are very disturbing. This is not a political issue, but a fight for justice. Everyone should rise above politics and support the sportspersons because these players are not only the pride of our state but the entire nation.”

Other Haryana Congress leaders who have visited the wrestlers include former state party chief Kumari Selja and MLA and former CLP leader Kiran Choudhary. A former sports minister of Haryana, Choudhary accused the Centre of not heeding the players, forcing them to sit on the road. “It would have been better had the government taken note of their accusations and conducted a thorough probe. The truth would have come out. On the contrary, even the FIR was registered only after the Supreme Court’s directions. Everybody can see what is going on.”

The INLD’s Abhay Chautala has demanded strict action in the FIRs lodged against Brij Bhushan.

Apart from political parties, the wrestlers are getting support from farmers’ unions, khaps, villages and local communities, many of whom have started going to Delhi to extend their support.

A senior officer told The Indian Express: “The state police is keeping a close watch on the situation to avoid any untoward incident or law and order disruption.”