Baba Ramdev has called for the protesting wrestlers to reconsider marching towards the new Parliament Building on the day of its inauguration. The wrestlers have planned a Mahila Mahapanchayat in front of the new Parliament Building on May 28 and were preparing to march peacefully to it earlier that morning. However, Ramdev urged the wrestlers to not partake in any activity that would dishonor the Parliament. He reminded the protesting wrestlers of the struggles their elders faced for the nation’s independence and the sacrifice of those that gave their lives, emphasizing the importance of respecting the democracy found within the walls of the Parliament. Ramdev’s appeal came after 21 opposition parties had announced that they would be boycotting the official inauguration of the new Parliament Building scheduled for the same day.
The wrestlers, led by Vinesh Phogat, had filed a petition to the Supreme Court accusing the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of alleged sexual harassment, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was consequently formed by the Delhi Police. In response, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports formed an ad-hoc committee that has been charged with conducting the elections for the Executive Committee of the WFI and managing its day-to-day affairs.
In response to Ramdev’s plea, the protesting wrestlers are yet to issue a statement. As the inauguration is fast approaching, only time will tell how the wrestlers stand in light of the Baba’s words.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is the governing body for professional wrestling in India. It is responsible for managing the Indian team’s participation in international wrestling tournaments and tournaments in the country. Founded in 1973, the organization has become one of the most successful and recognized in sports in India. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is the president of the WFI and a Member of Parliament in the 17th Lok Sabha. He has been credited with increasing the visibility of wrestling and spearheading the development of new programs for wrestling in the country.
