Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. Gajendra YadavWrestlers Protest at Jantar Mantar Highlights: India’s top wrestlers’ protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh entered its 16th day on Monday. Farmers’ groups trying to enter Delhi to join wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar being stopped by police at Tikri Border on Sunday.
The protesting wrestlers on Friday formed two committees to advice them on the future course of action in their fight against outgoing WFI chief. The aggrieved wrestlers started the day contemplating their next move after the Supreme Court closed proceedings on their plea even as Sports Minister Anurag Thakur requested them to have faith in the system, saying the investigation will make everything crystal clear.
“Vinesh is discussing it with the legal team. We will inform tomorrow. Today we made two committee — one is a 31-member committee and the second is a nine-member one. Khap panchayat, farmers and women organisations are there in 31 member committee. The nine-member committee will decide on the wrestling part,” said Bajrang Punia.
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Wrestlers Protest in Delhi Live: Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia started the protest on Wednesday. (Photo: Praveen Khanna)
The ad-hoc panel of the IOA is likely to allow the state wrestling associations to field deserving candidates in the Asian Games trials even if they do not meet the criteria of being a medal winners in one of the stipulated tournaments as per the new selection policy for the quadrennial extravaganza.
The Asian Games trials are expected to be held in the third week of June. The final date will be notified this week.
Postponed due to the COVID-19 last year, the Asian Games are set to unfold in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from September 23.
The WFI had last year devised a policy which allowed only the medal winners from the National Championships, the national ranking tournaments, Federation Cup and international tournaments, apart from talented juniors, to compete in the trials.
- PTI
The 31-member committee – comprising Khap leaders and members of various unions – advising the protesting grapplers in New Delhi who are demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, said on Sunday that they will wait till May 21 before taking their next major decision, and the agitation will continue till then.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik were joined by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, Khap Maham 24 chief Mehar Singh and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Baldev Singh Sirsa in a press conference at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. [Read Full Article]
The 31-member committee that is advising the protesting wrestlers on Sunday said if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not arrested by May 21, it will take a "significant decision", even as Vinesh Phogat insisted that their protest has not been hijacked by farmers.
"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 said.
"All the women can connect to this battle of ours. The supporters have given us strength. We are ready to fight." Asked if they are mentally prepared to shun training and competition for a long time, she replied in negative.
"We will compete definitely. We will prepare a plan 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 said.
Four national women's organisations have given a joint call to hold nationwide protests for the immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Haryana minister Sandeep Singh over allegations of sexual harassment made by wrestlers. In a statement, the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Coordination POW-PMS-IJM All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) and the All India Agragami Mahila Sanghatan (AIAMS), expressed solidarity with the protesting wrestlers. "Hundreds of protests will be held in different parts of the country. Women will hold meetings in villages, bastis and mohallahs to expose the ‘anti-women' face of the BJP. Lakhs of signatures will be collected which will be sent to the prime minister through district collectors," the statement said. (With PTI Inputs)
"I will hang myself even if a single allegation against me is proved," in a new video posted by news agency PTI WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on sexual harassment charges levelled against him by protesting wrestlers.
"The matter is under Delhi Police so I can't say everything openly. I still ask the wrestlers and their families if anyone has any video, any message or any proof of my calls, any witness. You don't trust my words. Ask any wrestler, male or female, from your neighbouring area if Brij Bhushan is a Ravana. Ask them if Brij Bhushan is an exploiter. Please ask wrestlers of this country what I have not done for the sport in the last 11 years."
The protest will continue till these kids (protesting wrestlers) get justice but how we take it forward, that will be decided by all of us today," says Chaudhary Surender Solanki, Khap president Palam, on mahapanchayat at Jantar Mantar today.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's extraordinary clout stems from his direct links with the party high command in Delhi which has used his services in the past to liaise with politicians from other parties who share a common interest in wrestling. [Read More]
According to an SKM statement on Saturday, on May 7, several leaders of the organisation from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers. Notably, SKM had spearheaded the year-long farmers' protest on the borders of the national capital against the now-repealed farm laws.
Security was beefed up at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Sunday after Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced that it will hold nationwide protests including in Delhi in support of the protesting grapplers. Wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for over 10 days demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh and his sacking from the post in the light of allegations of sexual harassment by the wrestlers.
A day after former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said ‘let the wrestlers fight their battles’ and that he ‘didn’t know what was happening’ when asked about the protesting wrestlers, World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat said they were ready to enlighten him of the ‘situation’ if he contacts them.
“If he wants to understand the matter and what is the situation then he can contact us and as a fellow athlete, we can tell him what is the situation. That is if he wants to support us and say that we need to be given justice. But for that, he has to approach us, we can’t approach him,” Vinesh said on Saturday.
At an event, Ganguly said, “Let them fight their battles and I really don’t know what is happening there. I obviously read in the newspapers… I realise one thing in the sports world… don’t talk about things you don’t have complete knowledge of. So I hope it gets resolved. The wrestlers win a lot of medals and bring accolades to the country and hopefully, it will be resolved.”
"Our statements have not been recorded under section 164 and we are waiting for this. And the police have been given a deadline to ensure that the statements are recorded within this deadline. My request is to record our statements as soon as possible because only then can the case move forward," said Rio Olympics medallist Sakshi Malik.
A senior police officer confirmed that the statements of the seven complainants, including the minor, were recorded under section 161.
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Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has appealed to the countrymen to observe a candlelight march on Sunday to show solidarity with the protesting grapplers.
"We request all Indians to come out with a candlelight march at 7 pm on May 7," he said.
Top wrestlers of the country, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, are protesting for the last two weeks at the Jantar Mantar here, demanding the sacking of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief.
The protesting wrestlers are hoping that the khap mahapanchayat scheduled at Jantar Mantar on Sunday will be of huge success and will help in getting more support for them in their fight against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Top wrestlers of the country, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, are protesting for the last two weeks at the Jantar Mantar here, demanding the sacking of Brij Bhushan as WFI chief and his arrest because of the alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.
"Today is the 14th day of our sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. The fact is you guys (supporters) are here and we are here too. We would like to thank all who are sitting with us here and supporting us. We would like to thank the entire country for standing with us in this fight for justice," said Vinesh on Saturday according to PTI.
"We hope we will achieve success in this fight so that truth prevails." Vinesh urged the supporters to be peaceful on Sunday so that bad elements do not hijack the protest.
"Tomorrow, a lot of people are expected to join us from villages... khap panchayats, kisan and mazdoor unions, student organisations to support us. We appeal to everyone to be peaceful. Our success depends on a peaceful demonstration. We also request all who will come tomorrow to cooperate with authorities and police," said the Asian Games gold medallist.
"We also request the police not to stop our supporters tomorrow." Bajrang, an Olympic medallist.
The protesting wrestling are hoping that the khap mahapanchayat scheduled at Jantar Mantar on Sunday will be of huge success. "Today is the 14th day of our sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. The fact is you guys (supporters) are here and we are here too. We would like to thank all who are sitting with us here and supporting us. We would like to thank the entire country for standing with us in this fight for justice," Vinesh was quoted as saying by PTI on Saturday. "We hope we will achieve success in this fight so that truth prevails."
WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been accused of offences under Section 354A of the IPC (sexual harassment of the nature of unwelcome physical contact and advances or a demand or request for sexual favours) and Section 11 of the POCSO Act (acts which amount to sexual harassment of a minor). Both of these are cognizable offences and therefore the Delhi police needed to register an FIR under Section 154 of the CrPC as soon as they received information regarding the commission of these offences. No preliminary inquiry can be permitted when the information clearly discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, writes Raunaq Bali for The Indian Express.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" over the sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a tweet, Sibal said, "Brij Bhushan; 2 Wrestlers to police: Allegation: On the pretext of checking breath, touched……My question: Is he so important for UP elections that can't be removed as President of the Federation till the investigation is over." "What about your slogan: 'beti bachao'….Why PM, HM silent?"
The protesting wrestlers on Friday formed two committees to advice them on the future course of action in their fight against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Friday said that Delhi Police is conducting an unbiased investigation into the demands of wrestlers and requested them to allow the probe to finish. "A demand was there to form a committee and it was constituted, FIR has been registered by Delhi police and Supreme Court also gave its verdict. Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation," said the Union Minister. The Union Minister said that free and fair elections of the Wrestling Federation of India has been taken into consideration and that the Indian Olympic Association is working towards it.
Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Friday extended his support to the protesting wrestlers near Jantar Mantar, in the national capital.They are sitting in protest demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his removal from the post in the light of allegations of sexual harassment.
WRESTLERS PROTEST
The protesting wrestlers on Friday formed two committees to advice them on the future course of action in their fight against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. The aggrieved wrestlers started the day contemplating their next move after the Supreme Court closed proceedings on their plea even as Sports Minister Anurag Thakur requested them to have faith in the system, saying the investigation will make everything crystal clear.
"Vinesh is discussing it with the legal team. We will inform tomorrow. Today we made two committee -- one is a 31-member committee and the second is a nine-member one. Khap panchayat, farmers and women organisations are there in 31 member committee. The nine-member committee will decide on the wrestling part," said Bajrang Punia.
"I request the sports minister to come and stand on the side of truth." "We will restart our fight, maybe by going to the high court. This fight is not restricted to three wrestlers," he added.
WITH THE wrestlers sitting on protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi drawing the support of both Opposition parties in Haryana and the state’s influential khap bodies, pressure is mounting on the ruling BJP-JJP (Jannayak Janata Party) coalition in the state.
Most of the wrestlers who are protesting belong to Haryana, as do a large section of the medal winners in the sport for the country. Many of them have reached out to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar seeking his support on the matter.
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. (READ MORE)
"Our legal team and the mentors are still discussing the next move. We will let you know once we finalise something," Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia told PTI. The wrestlers have the option of moving to a lower court or the Delhi High Court if they are not satisfied with the police investigation into the sexual harassment charges against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
Standing in support of the protesting wrestlers, Dronacharya award-winning coach Mahavir Singh Phogat on Friday threatened to return his medals if justice is not delivered, demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh."I will return my medals if justice is not delivered in the case," Mahavir Phogat said. "The kind of allegations he faces, action should be taken against him and he should be arrested," Mahavir Phogat, who had joined BJP over three years ago, added.
The Supreme Court Thursday closed the proceedings in a plea that sought a First Information Report (FIR) against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh concerning sexual harassment allegations by several women wrestlers. The apex court closed the proceedings in the case after the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against the BJP MP Brij Bhushan. [Read full story]
"Hon'ble Chairperson DCW was stopped at the barricade by an officer and let go immediately. She is presently inside the protest site. There is no restriction on individual entry to Jantar Mantar," tweeted DCP.
The wonky GPS can be switched off at the village-entrance-arch that has an idol of Hanuman at the very top. The letters on the blue background give away the ‘current location’ — ‘Welcome to Balali village, the home of international wrestlers Geeta, Babita, Vinesh and Ritu’. Houses emerge a few hundred metres ahead on an untarred road, muddier this week following the unseasonal rain.
People here are eager to point to the must-see spots in and around Balali, a village in the Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana — the area where famed wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat dug up a mudpit for his young daughters Geeta and Babita; the now-dilapidated house of the Phogats, where Mahavir and his five brothers, their families and a dozen children stayed. A two-storey house rises over the other modest buildings – that of Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler leading the protest at Jantar Mantar. [Read full story]
Thakur said that the Delhi Police have filed an FIR against WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will soon conduct elections to elect a new candidate. [Read full story]
Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said that they are fulfilling all the demands of the athletes protesting at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Thakur said that the Delhi Police have filed an FIR against WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and that the Indian olympic Association (IOA) will soon conduct elections to elect a new candidate.
Hitting out at the Centre over the scuffle between Delhi Police and the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said disrobing the honour of India's daughters in such a manner was utterly shameful. The nation was watching their tears, she said, maintaining it would not forgive those "assaulting" them.
There was chaos at Jantar Mantar late in the night on Wednesday as India’s top wrestlers alleged that police had manhandled and abused them. The latest confrontation seemed to have started when the wrestlers tried to bring beds to the protest site. The argument with the police reduced Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik to tears while Vinesh Phogat was seen arguing with the officials in a video that surfaced from the location.
Days after her statement accusing the protesting wrestlers of “tarnishing the image of the country”, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha reached Jantar Mantar to meet the grapplers on Wednesday morning. During her brief stay, she interacted with all the protesting wrestlers and told them that she felt for their cause and was with them in solidarity. She also told the athletes that her statement was manipulated and that she never meant to discredit them. [Read full story]
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condemned the "manhandling" of protesting women wrestlers here as shameful, and accused the BJP of never shying away from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country.
“What’s the point of winning medals for the country when we are treated this way? Take back the medals,” he told a press conference on Thursday morning. ” Take back the government awards. When the police are behaving this way – abusing, roughing us up, and pushing us around – then they don’t remember the awards we’ve been given, the medals we have won?” Later, Vinesh Phogat echoed the sentiment with even stronger words. “Along with the medals, we are willing to give our lives also. All we want is justice,” she said. (READ MORE)
The wonky GPS can be switched off at the village-entrance-arch that has an idol of Hanuman at the very top. The letters on the blue background give away the ‘current location’ — ‘Welcome to Balali village, the home of international wrestlers Geeta, Babita, Vinesh and Ritu’. Houses emerge a few hundred metres ahead on an untarred road, muddier this week following the unseasonal rain.
People here are eager to point to the must-see spots in and around Balali, a village in the Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana — the area where famed wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat dug up a mudpit for his young daughters Geeta and Babita; the now-dilapidated house of the Phogats, where Mahavir and his five brothers, their families and a dozen children stayed. A two-storey house rises over the other modest buildings – that of Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler leading the protest at Jantar Mantar. Read Full Report Here
Associations of mediapersons on Thursday demanded a probe into the allegations that Delhi Police personnel roughed up a female journalist covering the wrestlers' protests against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. In a joint statement, the Indian Women's Press Corps and the Press Club of India demand a probe into the matter and said strict action should be taken the erring police personnel for their treatment of journalist Sakshi Joshi.
Joshi has alleged she was "manhandled" by Delhi Police personnel on Wednesday night at Jantar Mantar where she was covering the protests by the wrestlers demanding action against WFI chief Singh.
The ad-hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association on Thursday took charge of the crisis-ridden Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), reports PTI.
The Sports Ministry had instructed the IOA to form the ad-hoc committee to oversee the affairs of WFI and conduct elections within 45 days of the panel's formation. The committee was formed last month.
"It was just taking charge and stock taking of the WFI today. No decision was taken," committee member Bhupinder Singh Bajwa told PTI. Former India rifle shooter Suma Shirur is also on the panel.
Telangana Sports and Youth Services Minister V Srinivas Goud along with BRS MP Nama Nageshwar Rao met with wrestlers protesting at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Thursday. They expressed solidarity with the wrestlers.
The wonky GPS can be switched off at the village-entrance arch with an idol of Hanuman at the very top. ‘Current location’ is clear because of the lettering on the blue background – ‘Welcome to Balali village, the home of international wrestlers Geeta, Babita, Vinesh and Ritu’. Houses emerge a few hundred metres ahead on an untarred road, muddier this week following unseasonal rain.
People here are eager to point to the must-see spots in and around Balali; the area where famed wrestling coach Mahavir Phogat dug up a mudpit for his young daughters Geeta and Babita, the now-untenanted dilapidated house of the Phogats, where Mahavir and his five brothers, their families and a dozen children stayed. Enquire about the two-storey house rising over the other modest buildings and immediately the owner’s name is shared – Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler leading the protest at Jantar Mantar.
In the box-office hit Dangal, based on Mahavir’s life, the foot-tapping sound track ‘bapu sehat ke liye tu toh haanikaarak hai‘ plays when actor Aamir Khan as Mahavir, makes his two exhausted daughters build stamina by running along the fields.
“I can’t point to a particular field or area, they used to be everywhere,” says an old-timer in the village, puffing on his hookah. (READ MORE on this story written by Nihal Koshie)
A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud refused to entertain an oral plea by the counsel representing the wrestlers that the ongoing probe be monitored by a retired or a serving high court judge. "You came here with specific prayers for registration of FIR and security for the complainants. Now both of your prayers have been addressed. "If you have any further grievances, you can very well approach the high court or the jurisdictional magistrate," the bench said, adding that it is closing the proceedings for now.
There is heavy police bandobast at the roads leading to the protest site, which could be in anticipation that supporters may try to reach the spot after Bajrang Punia's call on Wednesday night to the farmers and general public to reach Jantar Mantar in support of them.
Wrestler Geeta Phogat and husband Pawan Kumar taken into preventive custody by Delhi Police; were on their way to Jantar Mantar to join Wrestler's protest.
"We respect Supreme Court order, protest will continue, we have all options open, will decide future course of action after consulting seniors": protesting wrestlers after SC asks wrestlers to approach lower courts
There was chaos at Jantar Mantar late in the night on Wednesday as India’s top wrestlers alleged that police had manhandled and abused them. Vinesh alleged that a drunk policeman had assaulted her brother. She claimed that another police officer had shoved her and Sangeeta Phogat. Here is DCP Delhi Police speaking on the allegations