The Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Puadh, a farmers’ organization, recently organized a protest in Mohali against the central government and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protesting wrestlers have demanded that he be arrested and removed from the wrestling federation due to sexual harassment allegations levied against him by female grapplers. The farmers’ body also joined the wrestlers’ protest against the WFI chief. The protesting farmers alleged that the government was protecting an individual accused of serious charges. They claimed that the central government was not living up to their motto ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.’
Earlier, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait warned the central government to arrest the WFI chief by June 9; otherwise, they would hold panchayats across the country in support of the grapplers. The wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, issued an ultimatum of five days to the government to take action against the WFI chief. The Delhi Police had earlier filed two FIRs against Singh, one of which relates to allegations by a minor wrestler under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the other pertains to outraging modesty.
The WFI chief has denied all allegations against him and claims that the protesting wrestlers are changing their demands and language continuously. Singh stands by his statement that he will hang himself if even one of the allegations against him is proven to be true. The Khap leaders have also warned the government that they would launch a movement if they are not allowed to sit at Jantar Mantar on June 9. The wrestlers have also immersed their medals in the Ganga and have urged the government to resolve their issues. The farmer leaders declared that they would stand with the wrestlers in support of a fight for the dignity of women in the country.
