Vinesh insists protest not hijacked by farmers, May 21 deadline for Singh's arrest

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, wrestlers at the protest site (Pic: AFP)

As Vinesh Phogat insisted that their protest has not been hijacked by farmers, the 31-member committee advising the protesting wrestlers on Sunday said if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not arrested by May 21, it will take a 'significant decision'. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, Khap Maham 24 chief Mehar Singh and Sankyut Kisan Morcha's (non-political) Baldev Singh Sirsa joined the wrestlers on the dias and addressed the media.

"Many leaders from Khap panchayat and SKM attended the meeting today. We decided that members from every khap will come to the protest site every day. They will stay here during the day and return by the evening. The wrestlers' committee will take care of the protest and we will support the wrestlers from outside. We have scheduled a meeting for May 21. If the government does not offer a resolution, we will devise our next strategy," Tikait said before a huge gathering.

"If any emergency arises, if the wrestlers face any problem, the entire nation stands behind them," he added.

The wrestlers, along with hundreds of supporters, carried out a candlelight march in the evening. Slogans of 'inqalab jindabad' reverberated as the wrestlers walked holding each other's hands. Patriotic songs such as 'Mera Rang de basanti chola' were played just before the march started.

Also Read: Wrestlers pin their hope on Khap Mahapanchayat

Anticipating a large gathering in support of the wrestlers, the security arrangements were beefed up in advance with more than 500 personnel, including many women, from agencies such as Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Delhi Police, and the CRPF deployed at the protest site. The turbaned farmers, clad in dhoti-kurtas, and numbering in hundreds were seen at the protest site on Sunday as a 'Mahapanchayat' discussed the next move on behalf of the wrestlers. The scenes were similar to the farmers' protest that continued for 13 months until the government repealed the law.

The Delhi Police have recorded statements of the seven women complainants under section 161 while the statements under 164 (before a magistrate) under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) are yet to be recorded.

The wrestlers have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation of several women wrestlers over a period of time and have demanded his removal. Tikait said the tri-colour has been shamed and will not be tolerated.

"We will help the wrestlers in every possible manner. It (Jantar Mantar) will remain the protest site as of now. The protest will gather momentum and spread. We have to be prepared for a long battle. This is not a political protest, this is a non-political organisation. But a few politicians have come in support of the wrestlers, cutting across party lines," he said, adding that it will be a long haul and it may spread to the entire country.

Vinesh Phogat, the world championship medallist, also hinted that the protest may become bigger if their demands are not met.

"We can take a big call if a resolution does not come by May 21. No one has hijacked our protest, it's just that people have joined us in our fight against injustice. These people respect us and care for our dignity. All the women can connect to this battle of ours. The supporters have given us strength. We are ready to fight."

Asked if they are mentally prepared to shun training and competition for a long time, she replied in the negative.

"We will compete definitely. We will prepare a plan how to go about it. We will surely go for competitions. We have just one demand that Brij Bhushan should be first arrested and then his interrogation should take place," she said.

(With PTI inputs)