Wrestlers protest: Another Khap Panchayat is underway in Haryana's Kurukshetra a day after Soram Sarv Khap panchayat reserved its decision following the meeting in Muzaffarnagar on the wrestlers' protest. A unanimous decision will be taken at today's meeting of the Khap panchayat.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait speaks on the ongoing Khap Panchayat called in support of the wrestlers' protest in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Thursday’s 'mahapanchayat' was convened by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait to discuss the future strategy of the agitation. The decisions of the Khap Panchayat held in Muzaffarnagar were reserved for discussion in the Khap panchayat in Kurukshetra. A collective decision will be taken today in the Khap Panchayat meeting and the same will be announced unanimously.
Speaking to media persons, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said the accused must not be allowed to speak in public as he is booked under POCSO act. The discussion is underway and will tell you (media) once it ends, he added. The government is defending the accused, he alleged.
"A Khap representative will meet the President and the government. Khap and these women (protesting wrestlers) won't be defeated. More decisions will be taken at Kurukshetra tomorrow," said Rakesh Tikait at Khap maha panchayat.
The 'mahapanchayat' was attended by khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.
SKM calls nationwide protest
Apart from this, the farmers' outfit Samyukta Kisan Morcha has also called for nationwide demonstrations today in support of wrestlers. 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.
Haryana Congress Legislature party passes resolution
Meanwhile, the Haryana Congress Legislature party on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the "atrocities" on protesting wrestlers by the BJP government. 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. "The resolution stated that the silence of the BJP-JJP government of Haryana in this matter is highly condemnable. The Congress reiterated that it stands firmly with the wrestlers of the country and will support them at every step in this struggle for justice," the statement said.
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 wrestlers then announced they would immerse their medals in the river in Haridwar as a mark of protest to demand action against Singh. But the wrestlers did not carry out the threat after farmer leaders sought five days' time from them to resolve the issue.
(With PTI inputs)
