A group of wrestlers who have been protesting against former Wrestling Federation of India president, Brij Bhushan Singh, for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers, have announced their determination to proceed with a Mahila Mahapanchayat (women’s assembly) in front of the new Parliament building. Despite facing pressure to call off the event, the wrestlers, including renowned athletes like Bajranj Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, are resolute in their commitment to a peaceful march.
The wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexually harassing several women grapplers and have demanded his immediate arrest. They planned to hold the Mahila Mahapanchayat on the same day as the inauguration of the new Parliament building, to draw attention to their cause. However, they claim that there has been significant pressure to cancel the event.
In defiance of this pressure, the wrestlers have affirmed that they will not be deterred from their peaceful march. They have received permission from the administration to carry out the march, which is scheduled to take place from Jantar Mantar to the new Parliament building. Despite alleged attempts to hinder their supporters from reaching the protest site, the wrestlers are determined to hold the Mahapanchayat.
Vinesh Phogat, an Asian Games gold medalist, alleged that their supporters were stopped at a gurudwara in Ambala, which had been converted into a cantonment. She also stated that raids were being conducted at the houses of people supporting their cause. Despite these challenges, Vinesh expressed confidence that the women supporters would still reach Delhi to participate in the Mahapanchayat.
The protest has gained momentum as the wrestlers have toured several cities in north India, urging women and khaps (local caste-based councils) to support their cause. However, the area around Jantar Mantar, where the wrestlers have been protesting for over a month, was heavily guarded by a large number of police personnel, limiting access to the site.
During a press conference, Vinesh emotionally expressed concerns about their safety and lamented the treatment of their supporters, claiming they were being harassed as if they were criminals. The wrestlers chose not to answer any questions from the media during the event.
Vinesh had previously emphasized that if Brij Bhushan attended the inauguration of the new Parliament building, it would send a strong message about the prevailing state of affairs in the country. She criticized those trying to shield him, asserting that their actions were detrimental to women in India.
Despite facing pressure, the protesting wrestlers remain unwavering in their determination to hold the Mahila Mahapanchayat and continue their peaceful march. Their persistence and resilience highlight the importance of their cause and the urgent need for justice in cases of alleged sexual harassment in the wrestling community.
