Wrestlers Protest: The protesting wrestlers have demanded lie-detector Narco Test on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under Supreme Court supervision after he claimed innocence to allegations of sexual harassment. “Those people speaking in favour of the WFI chief and saying that we are lying, I would say that Brij Bhushan should undergo a Narco Test under Supreme Court… and also the seven women wrestlers and whosoever is found guilty, hang them.” said the 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi in a press conference at Jantar Mantar. Follow Wrestler vs WFI Live Updates on InsideSport.
Wrestlers Protest: Haryana Wrestling Body Suspends District Officials For Alleged Involvement In Agitation Against WFI Chief
A day after Delhi police registered two FIRs against him on April 28, Singh had claimed innocence and said he was ready “to face any kind of investigation.”
Sakshi Malik persuades public to support them like they supported Nirbhaya
Sakshi also made an appeal to the women of the country to come forward and support the wrestlers like they did in 2012 when the Nirbhaya case happened.
“I would request the womenfolk in the country to support us just like they did in the Nirbhaya case. Express solidarity with us because we are also fighting for the cause of women. If we win this fight, we would have sent a strong message, but if we lose we would go back 50 years,” said Sakshi.
Wrestlers Protest: Wrestlers to wear armbands as a sign of their resistance
The wrestlers also decided to wear black armbands on Thursday as a mark of protest over the alleged inaction of the authorities.
भारत की बेटियों के समर्थन में 11 मई को पूरे देश मे सुबह 10 बजे से दोपहर 2 बजे तक #Black_Day“” मनाया जाएगा। सभी से निवेदन है”Black Day”” पर Black पट्टी बांधकर बेटियों को न्याय दिलवाने के लिए आवाज उठाएं#Black_Day_11_May #IStandWithMyChampions pic.twitter.com/ASPlJLwcJC
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) May 10, 2023
“I appeal to all the individuals and organisations supporting us to come and join us in a black armband protest on Thursday. Tomorrow, we will express our opposition (virodh) by wearing black armbands,” said Vinesh, the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, on a day, which saw a big surge in the number of protesters.
Bajrang Punia On Asian Games and IOA
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said that contrary to public perception, the agitating wrestlers were not against national competitions taking place. He said if the competitions take place under the supervision of the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad hoc panel, he would welcome them.
“But if the WFI chief is involved in any way, we will oppose it,” said Punia.
“I request the IOA ad hoc committee to organise all the tournaments because we also do not want to halt wrestling activity. We are not calling wrestlers here (protest site) because their training and preparations will suffer. We laud the constitution of the ad hoc committee,” said Punia.
“We have major international events such as the Asian Games and the Olympic qualifiers coming up. The (ad hoc) committee should organise tournaments, (but) not someone who has serious allegations against him,” added Punia.
“Time and again people say we are not allowing tournaments to take place. Let me clarify that we have not stopped any competition. But, my question is how can someone who has so many allegations against him organise events.”
Asked if any official of the Sports Authority of India has so far approached the wrestlers, Punia said, “Look people are coming but we don’t want assurances, because once we have taken their assurance and gone back only to return (after 3 months). This fight will continue till we don’t get justice.”
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