Wrestlers protest: The protesting Indian wrestlers on Sunday announced to end their agitation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protesting wrestlers said the fight against Brij Bhushan will be fought in the court and not on the roads. The move came a day after asserting that they could hit the streets again to resume their agitation against the WFI chief. The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of the WFI chief in light of allegations of sexual harassment by the wrestlers.
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia posted identical tweets where they said the government has fulfilled its promise of filing a chargesheet against Singh. “In this case, the wresters' will continue till we get justice but it (fight) will be in court and not on the road," the statement on Twitter read.
Taking a break from social media
"Regarding the reform in WFI, the election process, as promised, has begun. We will wait for the fulfilment of promises made by the government regarding the July 11 elections." A few minutes after posting the statement, Vinesh and Sakshi tweeted that they are taking a break from social media for a few days.
The move came after the police filed charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against Singh earlier this month, following complaints by several female wrestlers and growing outrage at the delay. Singh, who was relieved of his administrative responsibilities, denies all charges. He could spend up to three years in prison if found guilty. The lawmaker "will continue to cooperate with police and will respect the court's decision," one of his aides stated.
On Saturday, in a live address on social media, the three wrestlers spearheading the protest had asserted that their fight against Mr Singh will continue, and they are deliberating how to continue the campaign after evaluating the chargesheet filed against him.
A police official investigating the case has said more than 155 people have been questioned in the investigation, which followed months of complaints by the country's top wrestlers, including several Olympic and Asian Games medallists.
Jantar Mantar protest
After being removed from Jantar Mantar on May 28, the wrestlers had suspended their protest till June 15 after getting assurance from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur that a chargesheet will be filed against Singh by then and none of his family members will be allowed to contest WFI elections.
The wrestlers, who got massive support from farmer leaders, khap panchayats and several other organisation, sat on Jantar Mantar for 38 days before Delhi Police detained them for violating law and order on May 28. They first came to Jantar Mantar on January 18 and suspended their three-day sit-in after Thakur promised to probe their allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against 66-year-old Singh, who is a six-time BJP MP.
(With PTI inputs)
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