Wrestlers' Protest LIVE: Mahapanchayat To Meet On Wednesday In Haryana's Balali Village, Sangeeta and Vinesh Phogat to Attend
Wrestlers Protest Live: Follow this space to get the latest updates on the wrestlers' protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
The President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, provided justification for the postponement of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections. Usha stated that the national sports governing body prioritised organising selection trials for junior grapplers, causing the WFI elections to be postponed.
A Mahapanchayat meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) in Balali village, Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. The gathering, led by Sangwan Khap, will begin at 10 am and is expected to draw a large crowd. Famous wrestlers Vinesh and Sangeeta Phogat will be present. (Input by ABP News reporter Bilal)
Former Commonwealth gold medallist and BJP leader Babita Phogat has claimed that the Opposition is misusing the wrestlers for their benefit. "I would want to ask where the opposition went when the wrestlers were getting arrested. They misled wrestlers and fled when police were arresting them," Phogat was quoted as saying by India Today.
Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have alleged that those who tried to discredit them are now trying to snatch their jobs away. They, however, said that they won't think twice before quitting their jobs if that comes in the way of justice.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik’s father Sukhbir Malik denies reports of protest being called off and says a big decision will be taken in coming days, read here.
"Daughters who brought 25 international medals - pleading for justice on the streets!," says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
"MP with 15 heinous allegations of sexual abuse in 2 FIRs - safe in Prime Minister's 'Suraksha Kavach'!"
"Modi government is responsible for these conditions of daughters.'
Rakesh Tikait says families of wrestlers are getting threatened and demands security for them. "Their (wrestlers') families are getting threats, hence security needs to be provided to them," he says.
Trinamool Congress leader and cricketer Kirti Azad says, "We want that the Delhi Police concludes (investigation in) this case as soon as possible."
BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty says the issue should be looked after by the state and not the Centre.
"It's not in the hands of the centre, the state should see, power is not in our hands. This is not the subject of the Centre but the state provided that the country is federal," Chakraborty says.
Bharat Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait after today's khap mahapanchayat in Haryana's Kurukshetra says, "We have taken a decision that Govt must address the grievances of wrestlers and he (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) should be arrested otherwise we will go with wrestlers to Jantar Mantar, Delhi on June 9 and will hold panchayats across the nation."
Member of the 1983 cricket world cup winning squad, Madan Lal says, "Heartbreaking that they decided to throw their medals. We aren't in favour of them throwing their medals because earning medals isn't easy and we urge the Government to sort out this issue as soon as possible."
1983 Cricket World Cup winning team urges wrestlers express their displeasure over 'unseemly visuals of champion wrestlers being manhandled.'
Issuing a statement, the team says, "We are distressed and disturbed at the unseemly visuals of our champion wrestlers being manhandled. We are also most concerned that they are thinking of dumping their hard-earned medals into river Ganga. Those medals have involved years of effort, sacrifice, determination and grit and are not only their own but the nation's pride and joy. We urge them not to take any hasty decision in this matter and also fervently hope that their grievances are heard and resolved quickly. Let the law of the land prevail."
The top brass of the BJP has instructed Brij Bhushan Singh to avoid unnecessary statements. ABP News sources said that the saffron party had asked him to cancel the rally in Ayodhya on June 5.
Jan Chetna rally which was slated to take place in Ayodhya on June 5 has been cancelled. Jan Chetna rally was organised at Ramkatha Park in Ayodhya.
Farmers hold Khap panchayat in Kurukshetra, Haryana to discuss and decide on the future course of action in wrestlers’ protest.
Farmer outfits held a ‘khap mahapanchayat’ in Uttar Pradesh and a series of protests in Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, showing solidarity with wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. At the congregation in Soram village in UP’s Muzaffarnagar, Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said they planned to meet President Droupadi Murmu and will hold another mahapanchayat in Haryana’s Kurukshetra on Friday to discuss the next steps in the agitation.
In Delhi, Trinamool Congress MPs walked out of a parliamentary panel meeting after their demand to discuss the safety of women athletes was rejected by its chairman and BJP MP Vivek Thakur, according to party MP Sushmita Dev. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a candlelight march in Kolkata, slamming the Centre and backing wrestlers who want Singh put behind bars.
But Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur maintained that the government is handling the issue “sensitively,” and has agreed to the wrestlers’ earlier demands.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday took to the streets of Kolkata in support of the protesting wrestlers demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh, stating that she will fight till they get justice. Maintaining that their fight was a struggle for life, justice, and independence, Banerjee said BJP leaders have occupied top posts in every sports organisation in the country.
"There has been a POCSO case registered against the WFI chief, and despite the court’s intervention, nothing has been done by the police. Not just resignation, the BJP leader should be arrested. I am ashamed of the incident. We will fight till the protesting wrestlers get justice," she said. "I will request the wrestlers to continue their movement. This fight is for life, for independence, for humanitarian justice," Banerjee said.
The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Singh, a BJP MP, alleging that he sexually harassed them. "Earlier, the rule was that no political leader would hold the top position in any sports organisation. Now, BJP leaders are heading every sports body in the country. I brought this rule when I was the Union Sports Minister," Banerjee said.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday said it has sent a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking issuing of directions to allow women wrestlers to continue their protest at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The development comes on a day when a Khap Mahapanchayat held in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar decided that a delegation would meet President Murmu to seek justice for the wrestlers demanding action against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accused of sexually abusing female grapplers, farmer leader Rakesh Tikiat said.
In a statement, the SKM, an umbrella body of several farmer organisations, also said that it has reiterated its demand for the arrest and speedy legal proceedings against Singh.
"These women wrestlers have been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since April 23, 2023, after the Union government failed to fulfil its promise to the sportspersons given in January 2023 to investigate and take necessary steps against the accused MP," the SKM said in the memorandum.
BJP MP Maneka Gandhi says she is confident that protesting wrestlers, who are seeking arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment of women grapplers will get justice.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee participates in a candlelight march to the Gandhi statue in Kolkata in support of protesting wrestlers.
"A police investigation is underway. We also want that justice should be served. I assure you that an unbiased investigation will be done and appropriate action will be taken, said Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur in Mumbai.
"A Khap representative will meet the President and the government. The Khap and these girls (wrestlers) will not be defeated," says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait on wrestlers' protest, as reported by PTI.
The decision of Soram Sarv Khap Panchayat held in Muzaffarnagar today over the issue of protesting wrestlers has been kept safe. Today's decision will be discussed in the Khap Panchayat meeting to be held in Kurukshetra, Haryana on June 2 and a decision will be taken based on that.
"First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand & later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself...I stand by my statement..." said Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh while speaking to the media.
Security was tightened at Delhi's border points on Thursday in view of a call for nationwide demonstrations given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in support of wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Security personnel are maintaining strict vigil at the border points and extra pickets have been put up to prevent any untoward incident, Delhi Police officials said.
"Security has been tightened, extra police personnel have been deployed and we have also set up extra pickets at Delhi's borders. We want to ensure that law and order is maintained and no untoward incident takes place. This has been done as a precautionary measure," a senior police officer said. He said vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring states are being checked at the borders.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the Centre was sensitively handling the issue of protesting wrestlers, who are seeking the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations. Thakur, who is on a visit to Mumbai, told reporters that the government has accepted the wrestlers' demand for a committee to probe their allegations and an investigation was underway.
Several Olympic and World Championships medal-winning wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat, have been protesting in New Delhi demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) outgoing chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing several women grapplers, including a minor. The wrestlers recently threatened to immerse their medals in the river Ganga.
"The government is handling the issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively. The wrestlers asked for an FIR which has been filed by the Delhi police. A committee of administrators has been set up by the Wrestling Federation of India as they demanded that its office-bearers shouldn't be allowed to function," Thakur said.
The Haryana Congress Legislature party on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the "atrocities" on protesting wrestlers by the BJP government, it said in a statement. The resolution was passed in a meeting held at the Congress headquarters here.
Senior Congress leader and party's Haryana affairs in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and the party's state president Udai Bhan later told reporters that the CLP discussed the current political situation of the state and the upcoming programmes of the party.
Gohil said that 27 of the 30 party MLAs attended the meeting. Three legislators did not attend due to various reasons. Senior leader Kiran Choudhary's cousin was hospitalised and therefore did not attend, he said. According to the statement, at the beginning of the meeting, "a resolution was passed condemning the atrocities being committed on the wrestlers by the BJP government". "It was said in the resolution that the present government is insulting sportspersons who raised the prestige of the country and brought glory to the nation.
Union minister Rajnath Singh says there will be "definitely" a solution in the wrestlers' protest issue.
Mumbai Youth Congress puts up banner outside bungalow of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar at Bandra West Perry Cross road for not speaking on the issue.
Mamata Banerjee joins a rally of TMC protesting the assault on wrestlers in Kolkata. The rally started from Hazra and ended at Rabindra Sadan.
Sports minister Anurag Thakur urges wrestlers to wait for the investigation by Delhi Police and asks them not to take any step that would affect the grapplers or the sport.
"It would be appropriate not to take any such step until the investigation is complete, which will affect the game and the players," Thakur says.
"I would tell the players that they should wait for the investigation by the Delhi Police," he says and adds, "On the demand of the wrestlers, we have constituted a committee as well which is looking into the functioning of the federation."
"Sports has progressed in the country under the leadership of PM Modi."
Delhi Police denies lack of evidence against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and adds that probe is underway into the allegations of sexual harrasment against him, reports PTI.
WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh takes a jibe at wrestlers saying "immersing their medals won't make the government to hang me."
Till now, we have not found sufficient evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh. Within 15 days we'll be filing our report in court. It could be in the form of chargesheet or final report. There is no supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim: Top Sources in Delhi Police to ANI. The sections of POCSO added in FIR has less than Seven years imprisonment, so Investigating Officer cannot proceed with arrest as demanded by the accused. Neither he is influencing the witness nor he is destroying the evidence: Top Sources in Delhi Police to ANI
BKU leader Naresh Tikait said a 'mahapanchayat' will be held in Muzaffarnagar's Soram village on Thursday to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges, as reported by the news agency PTI. Tikait, the head of Balyan khap, on Tuesday night said the matter will be discussed in detail in the mahapanchayat.
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait on Tuesday intervened and stopped protesting wrestlers from immersing their medals in the river Ganga and said that there would be a Khap meeting over the issue. The Wrestlers have been protesting against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations and are demanding his arrest.
"Entire Indian government is saving one man (WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh). There will be a Khap meeting tomorrow," said Naresh Tikait, as quoted by ANI. He also said, "Our brave women athletes have won these medals with a lot of hard work. they are the pride of the nation, they should not take these kinds of steps, so they agreed."
The United World Wrestling (UWW) on Tuesday condemned the detention of India's top wrestlers during their protest in Jantar Mantar and threatened to suspend the national federation WFI if it fails to hold its election within the stipulated time, as reported by PTI. The world body said it has been keeping an eye on the protest by the wrestlers against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing several women.
"For several months, United World Wrestling has followed with great concern the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting over allegations of abuse and harassment by the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)," UWW said in a statement, as quoted by PTI.
"It has taken due note that the WFI President has been put aside at an early stage and is currently not in charge." Unprecedented scenes of police dragging Olympic and world championships medallists, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat, were witnessed when the wrestlers and their supporters breached the security cordon during their march towards the new Parliament building for the planned women's 'Mahapanchayat' on Sunday.
The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan for allegedly sexually harassing several women wrestlers, including a minor. They had called for a women's Mahapanchayat at the new Parliament building at a time when it was being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The legendary Anil Kumble on Tuesday said he is "dismayed" by the treatment meted out to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar where they were manhandled and detained by police for trying to march towards the new Parliament building and hold a 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'.
Unprecedented scenes of police dragging Olympic and world championships medallists, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, were witnessed on Sunday when the wrestlers and their supporters breached the security cordon during their march to protest the inaction against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.
Farmers' outfit Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Tuesday called for nationwide demonstrations on June 1 in support of wrestlers who have been demanding the arrest of BJP MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing women grapplers, as reported by the news agency PTI. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, in a statement, said it has given the call for the nationwide agitation "to secure the democratic right to protest by the Indian wrestlers" and all other sections of society and to "demand the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh".
The Morcha will coordinate with platforms of trade unions, women, youth, students and all other sections, including intellectuals, to stage demonstrations across India, it said. Samyukta Kisan Morcha will also hold demonstrations and burn effigies of the Wrestling Federation of India chief on June 5, the day a group of seers in Ayodhya has planned a rally in support of Singh.
The morcha also strongly condemned the action on wrestlers on May 28, the day women wrestlers had called 'Mahila Samman Mahapanchayat'.
The wrestlers, who had been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23 seeking the arrest of Singh, were removed from the site by the Delhi Police on Sunday after they tried to march to the new Parliament building that was inaugurated the same day. They were detained and later let off.
The dishonour of one woman had led to the Mahabharata, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda said Tuesday as he attacked the BJP-led central government over the wrestlers' protest, warning it against testing the patience of the country. The Rajya Sabha MP's remarks came as the wrestlers gathered at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar to immerse their medals in the Ganga to press for action against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they alleged sexually harassed women grapplers.
But the wrestlers did not carry out the threat after farmer leaders and 'khaps' from Haryana appealed to them to call off the move and sought five days' time to resolve their issue. Earlier in the day, when the wrestlers announced their plan, Hooda appealed against it and told them that they got these awards through hard work and not due to any kindness by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"These medals are the country's honours. These medals have not come from any act of kindness by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The sportspersons won it through their hard work," Hooda said, as quoted by PTI. Warning to the BJP government, Hooda said the dishonour of one woman had led to the Mahabharata and the government "should not test the patience of the country".
"The government has repeatedly insulted sportspersons and daughters. Similar behaviour was meted out to them during the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The sportspersons are going to immerse their medals in the Ganga in Haridwar. People are extremely sad about it. I would appeal to the sportspersons to not do this," he told reporters here, as quoted by PTI.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says the whole country was shocked by the wrestlers' plan to immerse their medals in the Ganga and that the Prime Minister should "shed his arrogance".
Farmer leader Naresh Tikait, who intervened and asked protesting wrestlers not to immerse their medals, has said "Entire Indian govt is saving one man (WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh). There will be a Khap meeting tomorrow." He added: "We will not let them bow down. Our daughters are the pride of the nation. It is our collective responsibility to save the country."
The protesting wrestlers have agreed not to immerse their medals in the Ganga after being pacified by farmers' leader Naresh Tikait and Congress leaders. The wrestlers have, however, handed over their medals to Tikait.
The protesting wrestlers have agreed not to immerse their medals in the Ganga after being pacified by farmers' leader Naresh Tikait and Congress leaders. The wrestlers have, however, handed over their medals to Tikait.
The protesting wrestlers have agreed not to immerse their medals in the Ganga after being pacified by farmers leader Naresh Tikait and Congress leaders. The wrestlers have, however, handed over their medals to Tikait.
The Ganga Sabha has forbidden the wrestlers to immerse their medals in the Ganga. The diktat comes amid the Ganga Dussehra Festival being celebrated in Haridwar. Lakhs of Devotees have been Thronging the ghats in Haridwar since morning.
Veteran cricketer Anil Kumble has extended his support to protesting wrestlers. He has said, "Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest"
The Congress has requested the wrestlers to not immerse their medals in the Ganga as this is their hard work. The party has urged the wrestlers to resort to some other means to register their protest.
The protesting wrestlers have reached the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar to immerse their medals in Ganga.
The Ganga Sabha, under the leadership of its President Nitin Gautam, will oppose the wrestlers' move to throw medals in the Ganga River. Nitin Gautam stated, "The Ganga is a sacred place and should not be turned into a political arena. Medals are not the bones of sports; sports are eternal. We welcome rituals and prayers, and we pray that God grants them wisdom. We will prevent the flow of medals into the river."
According to Delhi Police sources, wrestlers will not be allowed to protest at India Gate.
"A national monument not a site for demonstrations," police said.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait appealed to wrestlers to not throw away their medals in the Ganga River in Haridwar today. In response to a query about protesting wrestlers, he mentioned that they were currently moving from Muzaffarnagar towards Haridwar.
He advised them to abstain from throwing their medals and directed his followers to intercept them wherever they crossed paths. Tikait emphasized that these medals are part of the country's heritage, and there is no need to be disheartened. He encouraged them to persist in their struggle for freedom, drawing a parallel to the 90-year-long fight for independence.
He assured that discussions would take place, and the medals would be returned to the President of the country.
Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj reacts to wrestlers' decision to throw medals in Ganga.
He said, "This is very painful. Wrestlers win medals with great effort. And after this, these BJP leaders come in queues to get their photos clicked. Where are all these BJP leaders today? These girls were told to get the narco test done. All of them got ready, then BJP became silent. Wherever it will be discussed, India's head will bow down in shame. Brij Bhushan, against whom many girls have given statements, is not being arrested. This is a matter of great shame."
The team of wrestlers has left Delhi for Haridwar. They will throw their medals in River Ganga around the famous Har Ki Pauri.
Mahavir Singh Phogat, father of Phogat sisters, on wrestler’s detention after a scuffle with police on May 28:
"The way they (wrestlers) were detained will cause furore in the public. Within one week, wrestlers will unite again and continue their protest till Brij Bhushan Singh is not jailed."
Wrestlers protesting against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh said that they will throw their medals in the Ganga River in Haridwar today at 6 PM and then will proceed to an indefinite hunger strike at India Gate.
Background
Wrestlers Protest Live: Hello and Welcome to ABP Live's Wrestlers Protest Live blog. Follow this space to get the latest updates on the wrestlers' protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
Wrestlers Decide Not To 'Immerse' Medals In River
Protesting wrestlers on May 30 refrained from 'immersing' their medals in the Ganga in Haridwar. Farmer leader Naresh Tikait convinced them that they would receive "justice" in 5 days and agreed to take their medals for safekeeping.
Earlier, Vinesh Phogat tweeted and said that the wrestlers are going to Haridwar to shed their medals in the Ganges, and then will sit on an indefinite hunger strike at India Gate. This comes a day after the grapplers were removed from Jantar Mantar by Delhi police who said that they violated the law.
A scuffle had escalated between wrestlers and cops on Sunday when the former tried to march towards the new Parliament building to hold 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'. However, owing to the inauguration ceremony, police stopped them which resulted in a clash post which the police detained several wrestlers.
Wrestlers' Reply To Retd IPS' 'Will Be Shot' Tweet
Olympic medal-winning wrestler Bajrang Punia on Monday slammed a retired IPS officer after he tweeted that the protesting wrestlers "will be shot if needed". Punia said that he would take the bullet right in his chest and asked Retired IPS Officer NC Asthana where to come. Punia's tweet in Hindi read, "This IPS officer is talking about shooting us. Brother we are standing at the front, tell me where to come to get shot… I swear that I will not show my back, I will take your bullet on my chest. That wish will be fulfilled if the circumstances demand. But for that, you need to be educated." The ex-IPS officer said that the police have the right to shoot under Article 129.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the demonstrators were not interfered with as long as they remained within the designated area at Jantar Mantar, news agency PTI reported.
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