Wrestler Protests: At Candle March, Vinesh Phogat Says “Big Call” Will Be Taken If WFI Chief Not Arrested

It is shocking to see how unbothered govt is!

By Kinjal Panchal Updated May 08, 2023 9:46 AM

Wrestler Protests: At Candle March, Vinesh Phogat Says “Big Call” Will Be Taken If WFI Chief Not Arrested

The Indian wrestlers’ protests demanding the arrest of the Wrestling Federation of India chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have intensified in the past couple of days. Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for several days now. No response from the government’s side to provide any aid to these protesting wrestlers shows how lightly they have been taking this issue. Sexual harassment allegations have been levied y the female wrestlers on Brij Bhushan Sharna Singh but he has not been arrested despite repeated efforts. On May 7, the wrestlers took their protest a step ahead by organising a candle march and demanding that Sharan Singh be dismissed from his post.

‘अन्याय‘ का पलड़ा सिर्फ
तब तक ही भारी रहता है,
जब तक ‘न्याय‘ के लिए एक
बुलंद आवाज नहीं उठाई जाती।#IStandWithMyChampions #WrestlersProtest #WeWantJustice pic.twitter.com/fkqF3dT3NG

— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) May 7, 2023

As per reports, Bajrang Punia appealed to the people of India to hold a candle march to lend their support to the protesting wrestlers. Several people who have been protesting with the wrestlers were seen holding candles at Jantar Mantar to stand in solidarity with them. Pictures and videos of all supporters standing strong alongside the wrestlers have been shared on social media as well.

https://twitter.com/SakshiMalik/status/1655249516482945024

Several farmers and khaap panchayat leaders from the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have also taken to the streets to join in the protests. Reportedly, Vinesh Phogat said to the media that the protesting wrestlers will take a “big call” if BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not arrested by the police till May 21. Amid these heavy protests, security has been amped around the border of Delhi and Ghaziabad.

https://twitter.com/SakshiMalik/status/1655263385301426177

These sexual harassment charges were first levied in January this year when Vinesh Phogat initiated the protests and demanded that the government take action against the WFI chief. She along with other protestors claimed that Punia has been sexually harassing the female wrestlers and even the coaches for many years.

Also read: SC Closes WFI Sexual Harassment Case Plea After FIR, Wrestlers Say Protest Will Continue

It is shocking how the government is turning a blind eye towards this massive protest which has now become a national issue. It shows exactly how the government is treating these award-winning wrestlers who have brought name and glory to the country on international levels.