Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Photos: Hundreds join to mark a month of wrestlers’ protest

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

Marking a month of wrestlers’ protest against MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, people from all walks of life including Khap members, farmers, and students, joined wrestlers on Tuesday in a candlelight march from Jantar Mantar to India Gate.

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with two-time world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat thousand people to India gate from Jantar Manter.

Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Mahila Congress, Bhim Army and many student organisations joined in.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik also attended the march.

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

The March was under heavy security with personnel from Delhi Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force deployed.

“It is not our fight alone. We are fighting for every woman who faces harassment in this country. I’d urge everyone to join us in our fight for justice,” Phogat said, addressing the crowd.

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

The wrestlers reiterated their decision to attend the Mahila Mahapanchayat on May 28, outside the new parliament building on the day it is inaugurated.

Although Singh is investigated under two First Information Reports (FIRs), the case has not made much progress with the protesters insisting that they won’t call off the protest until he is arrested.

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

Singh, a sixth-term MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, has a notorious history of political violence. Some of the testimonies given by wrestlers hint at the systematic exploitation of women athletes by the politician.

Photo: Muhammed Shahamath/Maktoob

Malik, Phogat, and Punia will miss the Bishkek Ranking Series next month, due to their participation in the wrestlers’ protest, as per the team announced by WFI on Tuesday.

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