Protesting wrestlers on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Why are you not listening to our mind?” and on allegations of sexual harassment against his party’s MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Asked him for time for discussion. Various farmer organizations, Khap leaders, politicians and women’s organizations have also reached the protest site in the last three days in support of the wrestlers. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik also reached the protest site and said that it is shameful that respected players have to fight for justice on the streets to achieve success at the international level.
The country’s top wrestlers on Sunday resumed their protest against the wrestling federation chief, three months after ending their sit-in following the formation of a monitoring committee to probe the serious allegations. The Sports Ministry is yet to make public the findings of the six-member monitoring panel, which submitted its report on April 5. Wrestlers on Wednesday said they were surprised that Prime Minister Modi respected them and posed for pictures with them when they won medals but turned a blind eye to their plight now that they are demanding justice.
Rio Olympic Games bronze medalist Sakshi Malik told the media, “Prime Minister Modi ji talks about ‘Beti Bachao’ and ‘Beti Padhao’ and listens to everyone’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Can’t they listen to our ‘Mann Ki Baat’? When we win medals, he invites us to his home and gives us lots of respect and calls us his daughters. Today we appeal to them to listen to our ‘Mann Ki Baat. Many programs are being organized by the government for
Sakshi said, “I want to ask Smriti Irani (Union Minister) why she is silent now? It’s been four days, we are sleeping on the road, suffering mosquito bites. We are not being allowed (by Delhi Police) to prepare food and do training, why are you silent? All I want to say is that you come here, listen to us and support us.” Sakshi feels that perhaps her words are not reaching the Prime Minister. “Perhaps our truth is not reaching them, so we want to meet them and apprise them of our issues,” he said.
World championship medalist Vinesh Phogat said, “We don’t even have telephone numbers (of the people concerned) so that we can reach them, so we are appealing through the media to take up the issues with Prime Minister Modi.” Perhaps then he will hear our cry. Our soul is almost dead, maybe he will see.” Vinesh also said that they would take out a ‘candle march’ in the evening. “Perhaps the officials are not seeing so we will take out a candle march to give some light,” he said. Maybe they can see that the daughters of India, who are not just wrestlers, but represent the spirit of many women, are on the streets.
Malik, who was the last governor of Jammu and Kashmir, said he spoke to Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia on Tuesday night and promised to visit the protest site. The country’s top wrestlers on Sunday resumed their sit-in at Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He has accused Brij Bhushan of threatening and sexually harassing women wrestlers. Malik said, ‘When our daughters win medals and hoist the tricolor, at that time we shamelessly invite them for tea and click pictures with them, but today they are on the streets. We should drown in shame.
He said, “I appeal to all of you to support him. More and more people should gather here.” Malik, who is wheelchair-bound, said it was unfortunate that women wrestlers were being asked to provide evidence of sexual harassment. Tokyo Games bronze medalist Bajrang also appealed to the Prime Minister. He said, “These daughters of India are appealing to you, please do justice to them.” Bajrang said, “We brought wrestling mats for practice. But we were not allowed, even we cannot cook our food here because there is no permission. Now do we have to take permission even to breathe?
He also said that efforts are being made by the people of the WFI chief to intimidate him. “Some people are trying to discourage us and scare us by telling stories of how Brijbhushan killed an opponent but let me tell you we are not scared,” Bajrang said. appealed to them to stand united with him. He said, “Can’t we put greed, fear and selfishness behind us? I appeal to all the sportspersons of the country, Olympic medalists, national medalists and world championship medalists, to come together and stand united.” Vinesh said, “If we stand united then there is no reason why we Can’t become number one country in Olympics one day.’ Meanwhile, the wrestlers under the guidance of coach Sujit Mann started practicing at the picket site itself. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Satyavrat Kadian at 7 am. 30 to 8. Practiced till 45.
