The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced holding a nationwide protest including in Delhi in support of the protesting wrestlers. Post the announcement, security has been beefed up in the national capital on Sunday, reported news agency ANI. Indian grapplers 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. They are also seeking his removal from the post in light of allegations of sexual harassment by some women wrestlers.
According to an SKM statement on Saturday, 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, as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, members of Kirti Kisan Union have joined the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar.
On Friday, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij extended his support to the protesting wrestlers near Jantar Mantar. While speaking to ANI, Vij said he had complete sympathy and support for the protesting wrestlers.
"This entire matter is now being addressed at the highest level. Since I have also been a sports minister, my sympathies and support are with the protesting wrestlers. If they want me to meditate and talk to the government, I am willing to do so," Vij said, as quoted by ANI.
Moreover, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said the Delhi Police was conducting an unbiased investigation against the wrestling federation chief.
"A demand had been put forward to form a committee and a panel was constituted. Two FIRs have also been registered by Delhi Police and Supreme Court also gave its verdict. Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation," the Union Minister said.
Thakur also added that free and fair elections of the Wrestling Federation of India have been taken into consideration and that the Indian Olympic Association is working towards it.
On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.
The wrestlers resumed their protests months after on April 23. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six women wrestlers, and a minor, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station but Delhi Police did not register an FIR. They also demanded that the Sports Ministry make the findings of the Oversight Committee public.
Delhi Police registered two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court.