Protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar form advisory committees

Bajrang said that both committees are tasked with the same work, but one – with 31 members – will have representation from the various khaps, farm leaders, student and labour unions that have come out in their support, while the other – with nine members – will be made of people from the world of wrestling.

“We (protesting wrestlers) will not be a part of the committees, our job is just to fight, they will be responsible for making the big decisions,” he told the media. “Vinesh (Phogat) will be working with the legal team also.”

Bajrang, alongside other top wrestlers of the country including Vinesh and Sakshi Malik, had promised to continue the protest after the Supreme Court decision on Thursday, reiterating that they will continue their demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi until Brijbhushan is arrested. The wrestlers had protested in January for a few days, before winding up after the Sports Ministry made an Oversight Committee that would collect evidence and file a report on the allegations, but came back onto the streets due to alleged lack of action.

Bajrang says that this time around, they are adamant about not making the same mistakes as they did a few months ago. “Earlier, we were making the decisions ourselves. This time, we’re taking advice from those who are knowledgeable,” he said. “The last time also we were told that we should not just listen to the government, that they’re doing politics with this issue. But we thought that there were so many sportspersons, and if the Sports Minister made guarantees, it will happen. Now, we have to be smarter.”
The 29-year-old wrestler clarified why the wrestlers have been keen to listen to the advice of farm unions and local leaders as well, as opposed to only sportspersons. “There is nothing greater than the society at large,” he said. “So if prominent members of society tell us that we should get up and leave, then we would definitely listen. But I can be sure they will never ask us to step back when we’re fighting for the respect of this country’s daughters.”

‘Feels like a prison’

In the aftermath of a scuffle between the wrestlers and the Delhi Police – whom the former have accused of high-handedness and abuse – on Wednesday night, security deployment has increased substantially in and around Jantar Mantar, even as the numbers showing up in the wrestlers’ support have steadily declined.

Bajrang doubled down on his criticism of the Delhi Police, claiming they have been doing things in favour of Brij Bhushan from the beginning, including the six days it took them to file an FIR. “The person who has an FIR against him is roaming freely. But those protesting peacefully, for the cause of justice, are barricaded from all 4 sides – sitting here like prisoners,” he said. “I would like to ask the Delhi Police – would they be behaving like this even if it was their daughters and sisters fighting for justice here?”

‘Let fair probe happen’

Lucknow: In Lucknow to attend Khelo India University Games launch, Union Minister Anurag Thakur made an appeal to protesting wrestlers to allow the unbiased investigation to be completed assuring that guilty would be exposed and strict action would be taken by Delhi police as per law.
Asked about the ongoing protest of wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, Thakur told media persons in Lucknow, “It my appeal to all those sportspersons protesting that their demands are being met and even court has given its decision in this regard. Let the fair investigation take place. Be it exposing or taking action, Delhi police would do it under law.” ENS