The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual exploitation.
New Delhi:
1 Calling it a “black day”, the protesting grapplers and their supporters on Thursday wore black bands with Bajrang Punia, one of many distinguished faces of the sit-in, alleging that their telephone numbers are being tracked.
The protest towards Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers, entered the 18th day.
Prime Indian grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang, Sakshi Malik, Satyawart Kaidyan and Jitender Kinha all tied black bands on their brow whereas a number of supporters sported them on their arms as a mark of protest towards what they see as a scarcity of motion towards Brij Bhushan.
The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who they’ve accused of sexual exploitation of a number of girls grapplers together with a minor.
The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs, together with one underneath part 10 of POCSO act towards the BJP MP, who has denied all the costs.
“We’re observing a black day right now in protest towards Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. We’re assured of our victory as the complete nation is with us in our struggle,” Bajrang Punia stated.
“Daily our protest is gaining momentum and we are going to proceed to struggle until we get justice.
“These days our telephone numbers are being tracked, we’re being handled in a fashion the place it appears as if we’ve dedicated a criminal offense. Whoever is in our contact is being tracked, I’m telling you,” Mr Punia instructed reporters.
The World Championship and Olympic medallist was essential of athlete Seema Antil, who stated their protest has had a detrimental affect on the game with camps and trails not happening.
“I do not perceive that she is saying that we’re inflicting harm to the game relatively than Brij Bhushan. It is very unusual that she would not perceive this regardless of being a sportsperson.
“I do not suppose she ought to have stated what she stated. We respect her she is an efficient athlete however she ought to suppose earlier than popping out with a press release,” Mr Punia stated.
A big delegation of Bharat Kishan Union Ekta (Azad), largely comprising girls from Punjab arrived on the Jantar Mantar on Thursday to indicate their solidarity in direction of the protesting wrestlers.
Talking of the potential of monetary bungling, he requested the WFI, “Which cash have you ever spent, the place has Tata’s cash gone. The Tatas have been supplying you with cash for the final 5 years, the place is that cash? “We have now additionally requested Ratan Tata ji to seek out this out, whether or not his cash is reaching the appropriate place,” the ace wrestler added.
On the brighter aspect, Bajrang welcomed the transfer to carry the ladies’s camp in Patiala.
“We welcome the shifting of the ladies’s camp to Patiala. Wherever athletes have entry to all of the amenities arrange camp there relatively than having it in a spot the place they’re being exploited and mistreated.” In addition to members of Mazdood Adhikar Sangathan, Sonipat and a small delegation of youth college students from Bhagat Singh Youth Union, Maharashtra additionally got here in assist of the wrestlers on Thursday.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia continued, “See nothing is greater than the judiciary. We have now full religion within the courtroom, our struggle is for the reality. I do not suppose India has seen one thing like this previously.
“We get energy after we see the assist we’re getting from all corners from of the nation.
“This was the time to organize for the Asian Video games and Olympics, so it’s totally unhappy and unlucky. It is an enormous loss for sports activities that we’ve been protesting for the previous 19 days.”
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
