In a dramatic turn of events, protesting wrestlers in India have temporarily suspended their plan to immerse their hard-earned medals in the holy Ganga River at Haridwar. The decision came after farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened in support of the athletes. The wrestlers have given a five-day ultimatum for action to be taken against the wrestling federation chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they accuse of neglecting their grievances.
The wrestlers, who had earlier declared their emotional decision to consign their medals to the sacred river, expressed their attachment to the accolades that symbolize years of relentless dedication and sacrifice. Visuals from the spot showed locals consoling the tearful athletes, urging them to hold on to their achievements. Soon after, farmer and khap leaders stepped in to mediate the escalating situation.
If the wrestlers had followed through with their resolve, India would have lost two Olympic medals, as well as several medals from the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Notably, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, among others, have contributed significantly to India’s sporting success on the international stage.
The wrestlers conveyed their distress through a poignant statement, written in Hindi and shared on social media platforms. They expressed disappointment in the treatment they received from the police and the system, feeling marginalized and criminalized despite being victims themselves. The crackdown that occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary inauguration further exacerbated their frustration.
“These medals are our lives, our souls. There would be no reason to live after immersing them in the Ganga today,” emphasized the wrestlers in their statement. In an act of desperation, they announced their intention to go on a hunger strike until death at India Gate, a prominent location in New Delhi.
However, the Delhi Police, who had previously shut down the Jantar Mantar protest site, informed the wrestlers that they would not be permitted to hold their protest at India Gate. The police accused the protesters of rioting and breaking the law, despite their repeated requests to discontinue the demonstration.
Sunday’s protest march to the new parliament resulted in the wrestlers’ detention by the Delhi Police. Shocking visuals of champion wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and her cousin Sangeeta Phogat being manhandled and pinned to the ground by the police sparked widespread outrage across the nation.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP and wrestling federation chief, who has been accused of sexual harassment by some of the top wrestlers, was present at the parliamentary inauguration while the police carried out the crackdown nearby. Singh has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Delhi Police have registered two cases against the MP, including one under the stringent law against child abuse.
Political leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, have criticized the BJP-led Central government for its handling of the situation. They demanded accountability and expressed their shock and concern over the incident, urging the Prime Minister to address the issue promptly.
The United World Wrestling has also weighed in on the matter, threatening action against the Wrestling Federation of India if internal elections are not conducted on time. The international governing body expressed worry over the detention of the wrestlers and expressed disappointment with the lack of progress in the investigation.
As the five-day ultimatum looms, the fate of the wrestlers’ medals and their ongoing battle for justice hangs in the balance. The sporting community and the public at large anxiously await the resolution of this deeply distressing situation, hoping for a fair and just outcome that upholds the athletes’ dignity and ensures accountability for
