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Tag: wrestlers

  • Several women wrestlers write to PM Modi, IOA, SAI demanding fair Asian Games trials

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    New Delhi: Several women wrestlers, including medal winners from Commonwealth Games and Asian Championship, on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the ad-hoc panel running the WFI, requesting “fair trials” for Asian Games amidst reports that the six protesting grapplers may be given exemption.

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    The 24 women wrestlers from Sir Chhotu Ram Akhada in Rohtak, who also wrote to SAI Director General Sandeep Pradhan, have conveyed that they won’t accept two-stage trial or any another relaxation given to the protesting grapplers.

    The IOA-appointed ad-hoc panel has announced that Asian Games trials will be held on July 22-23 but did not reveal the criteria.

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    The wrestlers are even preparing to hit the roads for a fresh protest and approach the judiciary if any discriminatory decision is taken by the IOA ad-hoc committee.

    Panel head Bhupender Singh Bajwa had on June 16 conveyed to the six protesting wrestlers — Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian and Jirender Kinha — that they will have to compete in just one final bout against the winners of the initial trials.

    According to sources, the ad-hoc panel is deliberating over a criteria which will exempt current Olympic and World Championship medallists from the trials, which will benefit Bajrang, Vinesh and Ravi Dahiya.

    The IOA has to submit the names of the participating wrestlers by July 23.

    “Even if only three Olympians were to be given concessions, this would be wrong to the youngsters,” the wrestlers said in the letter that was also marked to Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

    “We feel this decision (two-stage trial) is unfair and unjust to the other emerging wrestlers of the nation as we have to fight and win approximately four to five bouts and one more qualifying bout against one of these wrestlers and in contrast they have to just fight single bout to qualify which is biased, unjustified and against the spirit of right of equality.”

    The letter further read, “India is a democratic country… and under Article 14 of the Indian constitution, every citizen must be given the right to equality.

    “Indian constitution is liberal but the decision taken by the committee is against the fundamental rights of an individual’s opportunity as we are not getting equal opportunity and these six wrestlers are given special concession and benefits in the trials without any proper reason and it is highly opposable and objectionable.”

    “We request you to reconsider this decision while keeping the rights, appeals, hope and future of all the talented emerging wrestlers in the account (sic).”

    Manisha, winner of a bronze medal in the Asian Championship (Astana) and gold at the UWW Ranking Series event (Bishkek) this year, Pooja Gehlot, winner of a bronze medal at the Birmingham CWG along, along with 22 others, have signed the letter.

    The signatories also include junior world championship bronze winner Ritika, U23 World Championship bronze winner Mansi, U23 Asian Championship silver medallist Rajni.

    Talking to PTI, Manisha said, “There should be just one trial. They can beat us in competition and go to Asian Games. At least we will have satisfaction that they beat us. It is difficult to maintain weight. Two-stage trials is not acceptable.”

    “Lot of athletes are with us. There should be fair trials,” she said.

    Sarika, winner of bronze medal at the junior Asian Championship said, “If we have to protest or go to court, we are ready for everything. Wrestlers from Jalandhar, Sonepat, Jind and Hisar have also written letters to IOA and other authorities.”

    Jagdish Dhanda, a coach at Sir Chhotu Ram Akhada in Rohtak also said that they will not accept any discrimination.

    “From the first day we were opposing any such move. There are several junior and sub junior wrestlers who fear that it might happen to them also, so they have also come forward and signed the letter,” he said.

    It is unclear if the six protesting wrestlers, who are in different parts of the world for training and competitions, will come back to India for trials this month.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Farmers join wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar

    Farmers join wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar

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    Farmers join wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar



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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Farmers lend their support to protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar

    Farmers lend their support to protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar

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    New Delhi: In a powerful show of solidarity, representatives from various ‘khaps’ in Haryana gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday to extend their support to women wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

    Balwant Phogat, President of Phogat Khap, while speaking to IANS, said that leaders from various khaps have gathered at the protest site to unequivocally support the wrestlers in their fight for justice.

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     Security personnel and farmers during the latter’s demonstration in support of the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday (PTI)

    “We are currently conducting a meeting to discuss and determine our next steps in this crucial matter,” he said.

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    Earlier on Sunday, the Delhi Police granted permission to certain Khap leaders to travel from the Delhi borders to Jantar Mantar using their private vehicles. However, it did not allow khap leaders on tractors to enter the national capital.

    Bharatiya Kisan Union leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Arab Singh Ahlawat, Joginder Singh, and others, also joined the gathering at Jantar Mantar to show their support for the ongoing protest by wrestlers.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Security beefed up after SKM announces nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

    Security beefed up after SKM announces nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

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    New Delhi: Security was beefed up at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Sunday after Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced that it will hold nationwide protests including in Delhi in support of the protesting grapplers.

    Wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for over 10 days demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh and his sacking from the post in the light of allegations of sexual harassment by the wrestlers.

    According to an SKM statement on Saturday, on May 7, several leaders of the organisation from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers.

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    Notably, SKM had spearheaded the year-long farmers’ protest on the borders of the national capital against the now-repealed farm laws.

    On Friday, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij extended his support to the protesting wrestlers near Jantar Mantar.

    Speaking to ANI, the Haryana Home minister said he had complete sympathy and support for the protesting wrestlers.

    He even assured the grapplers that he was willing to mediate and hold talks with the government on their behalf.

    “This entire matter is now being addressed at the highest level. Since I have also been a sports minister, my sympathies and support are with the protesting wrestlers. If they want me to meditate and talk to the government, I am willing to do so,” Vij said.

    Moreover, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said the Delhi Police was conducting an unbiased investigation against the wrestling federation chief and were working to meet the demands of the protesting grapplers.

    “A demand had been put forward to form a committee and a panel was constituted. Two FIRs have also been registered by Delhi Police and Supreme Court also gave its verdict. Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation,” the Union Minister said.

    The Union Minister said that free and fair elections of the Wrestling Federation of India have been taken into consideration and that the Indian Olympic Association is working towards it.

    On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

    On April 23, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six women wrestlers, and a minor, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station but Delhi Police did not register an FIR. The protesting grapplers also demanded that the Sports Ministry make the findings of the Oversight Committee public.

    Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court.

    Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI chief, following which the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches.

    The protesting wrestlers have made it clear that they won’t move until they get justice and Brij Bhushan is removed as the WFI chief and put behind bars.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

    Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

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    New Delhi:The Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Saturday announced that it will hold nationwide protests in support of grapplers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    The outfit also demanded the immediate arrest of Singh.

    On May 7, several senior leaders of SKM from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of farmers, shall once again visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers, the outfit said in a statement.

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    SKM leaders shall also lead deputations to important administrative officers such as the commissioner of police, Delhi, as well as Union home and sports ministers, it said.

    From May 11-18, an all-India agitation shall be held in all state capitals, district headquarters, and talukas. Public meetings and protest marches shall be held and effigy of Singh and the BJP-led central government shall be burnt, the SKM said.

    The SKM had spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed farm laws of the Centre.

    The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), a breakaway group of SKM, on Friday said a large number of farmers will gather at the Jantar Mantar here on May 8 in support of wrestlers protesting against the WFI president.

    The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. They have levelled allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Uttar Pradesh.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Delhi Police record statements of 7 women wrestlers in cases against WFI chief

    Delhi Police record statements of 7 women wrestlers in cases against WFI chief

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    New Delhi: Delhi Police recorded the statements of seven women wrestlers in connection with the cases registered against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, officials said on Friday.

    On April 28, Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by the women wrestlers against Singh.

    According to police, one of the cases against him was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), while the other was registered under section 10 of the POCSO Act.

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    An official said they have recorded the statements of the wrestlers and an investigation is underway.

    The incidents mentioned in the FIRs allegedly took place between 2012 and 2022 at different places, including abroad.

    The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. A scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers and some police personnel on Wednesday night.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • IYC holds candle-light march in support of protesting wrestlers

    IYC holds candle-light march in support of protesting wrestlers

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    New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday held a candle-light march here in support of the protesting wrestlers at the Jantar Mantar, criticising the BJP-led government at the Centre.

    “Beti Bachao slogan is just hypocrisy. The behaviour with the women players of the country at Jantar Mantar is very shameful. In fact, the BJP has never shied away from torturing the daughters of India,” IYC president Srinivas B.V. said.

    Hundreds of IYC activists took out a candle march to demand justice for the pride of the country’s women wrestlers. However, Delhi Police stopped them near their office.

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    IYC national in-charge and AICC joint secretary Krishna Allavaru also slammed the government over the alleged manhandling of the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

    “What has happened to women sportspersons at Jantar Mantar is sad. The country is deeply saddened to see the tears of women sportspersons who have brought medals for the country and their families with their hard work and dedication. BJP has a history of protecting perpetrators and questioning victims,” he said.

    Allavaru also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi clicks photographs when these wrestlers win medals “but now he is forcing them to cry”.

    “For the last 14 days, the daughters of the country have been crying and suffering, but the government is silent.”

    He further said that the Congress stands firmly with the daughters of the country and will stand with them till the last breath.

    He also demanded BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), be arrested by the Delhi Police so that a fair investigation could be conducted.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Wrestlers form two committees to decide on future course of action

    Wrestlers form two committees to decide on future course of action

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    New Delhi: The protesting wrestlers on Friday formed two committees to advice them on the future course of action in their fight against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

    The aggrieved wrestlers started the day contemplating their next move after the Supreme Court closed proceedings on their plea even as Sports Minister Anurag Thakur requested them to have faith in the system, saying the investigation will make everything crystal clear.

    “Vinesh is discussing it with the legal team. We will inform tomorrow. Today we made two committee — one is a 31-member committee and the second is a nine-member one.
    Khap panchayat, farmers and women organisations are there in 31 member committee. The nine-member committee will decide on the wrestling part,” said Bajrang Punia.

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    “I request the sports minister to come and stand on the side of truth.”

    “We will restart our fight, maybe by going to the high court. This fight is not restricted to three wrestlers,” he added.

    With the Delhi Police blocking the entry of more wrestlers to the protest site, only a few farmers could reach Jantar Mantar on Friday to extend their support.

    The usual fervour was missing as the protest entered the 13th day though political and farmer leaders continued to visit the wrestlers. Congress leaders Kumari Selja, Kiran Choudhary and Anil Kumar extended their support to the grapplers.

    “It feels like we are in prison. There are barricades on all sides. The police is also misleading our supporters. So many are sitting on the Delhi borders.”

    “Our legal team and the mentors are still discussing the next move. We will let you know once we finalise something,” Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia had earlier told PTI.

    The wrestlers have the option of moving to a lower court or the Delhi High Court if they are not satisfied with the police investigation into the sexual harassment charges against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brijbhushan.

    The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the proceedings on the women wresters’ petition, saying the prayer for an FIR has been answered. The wrestlers said the apex court order was not a setback for them.

    The Delhi Police has registered two FIRs, including one on POCSO Act, against Singh.

    The police have also recorded statements of five wrestlers, including the minor.

    “It is my request to all the sportspersons who are agitating there that whatever their demands were, they were met. Court has also given its directions and they should let an unbiased probe to complete,” Thakur said in Lucknow on the sidelines of a Khelo India event.

    “Delhi police will do ‘doodh ka doodh pani ka pani’ and take strict action as per law,” he added.

    The wrestlers, who alleged that police personnel misbehaved with them on Wednesday night, have threatened to return the awards the government has bestowed on them in the past.

    Renowned wrestling coach Mahvir Phogat, the uncle of Vinesh Phogat, who is the face of the protest, also made a similar threat.

    He is a Dronacharya awardee, having received the honour in 2016.

    “I will return my medals if justice is not delivered in the case,” Phogat said.

    “The kind of allegations he (WFI chief) faces, action should be taken against him and he should be arrested,” Phogat, who had joined BJP over three years ago, added.

    When asked if he had spoken to any senior government official or raised the matter at party level, he said, “No there has been no talk so far.”

    On Thursday, many Khaps held protests including in Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind and Rohtak, expressing solidarity with the wrestlers and demanding that they should be given justice.

    Meanwhile, former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly said he would not like to comment on the issue, as he “doesn’t have complete knowledge” about it.

    “Let them fight their battle. That’s what it is. I really do not know what’s happening there. I obviously read in the newspapers and I realise one thing in the sports world that you don’t talk about things that you don’t have complete knowledge about,” Ganguly said.

    “So, I hope it gets resolved. The wrestlers have won a lot of medals and brought accolades to the country. Hopefully, it will be resolved,” the former BCCI president added.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • BRS leaders meet protesting wrestlers, express solidarity in Delhi

    BRS leaders meet protesting wrestlers, express solidarity in Delhi

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    Hyderabad: Telangana Sports and Youth Services Minister V Srinivas Goud and BRS MP Nama Nageshwar Rao met with wrestlers protesting at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Thursday.

    The minister expressed support for wrestlers seeking justice for sexual harassment allegations made against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officials, including its chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    “Expressed solidarity to the wrestlers staging a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Hope the champions who brought glory to our nation soon receive the deserved justice,” Srinivas Goud tweeted.

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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • BJP’s treatment of wrestlers shameful, arrogant: Arvind Kejriwal

    BJP’s treatment of wrestlers shameful, arrogant: Arvind Kejriwal

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    New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday slammed the BJP over the scuffle at Jantar Mantar between wrestlers and police and called its treatment of national sportspersons shameful and arrogant.

    Kejriwal in a tweet in Hindi said that arrogance has gone to the head of the BJP and it wanted to run the system through “hooliganism” as he called on people to throw it out of power.

    A scuffle broke out late Wednesday night between the wrestlers staging a protest at Jantar Mantar and some policemen, leading to a couple of protesters getting injured.

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    Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti and Congress leader Deepender Hooda were among the people who were detained after the incident, according to police.

    In a video that circulated on social media, some of the protesters were seen accusing a policeman of attacking two wrestlers in a drunken state.

    According to police, protesters became aggressive after policemen deployed there asked some people about cots being brought by Bharti.

    Kejriwal sharing a video of Jantar Mantar tweeted “such behaviour with the champion players of the country? This is extremely unfortunate and shameful…”

    “I appeal to all the people in the country…no more…do not tolerate BJP’s hooliganism, the time has come to uproot the BJP and chase them away,” he wrote.

    Kejriwal had recently visited the wrestlers and extended his support to them.

    The wrestlers have been on a sit-in since April 23 demanding arrest of WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a sexual harassment accused.

    The Delhi Police had on February 28 filed two FIRs against the WFI president in the matter and subsequently offered to provide security to the female wrestlers who filed complaints against him.



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    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )