Top wrestlers arrived in Haridwar to immerse their medals in Ganga in an act of protest against wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual harassment. However, farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened and the wrestlers halted their plan to immerse the medals. The athletes have given a five-day deadline to Centre to take action against Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also a BJP MP.
India’s top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, arrived at Haridwar’s Har Ki Pauri on Tuesday to immerse medals as part of their protest against wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. But the athletes halted their plan following the intervention of farmer leaders. They have vowed to return if no action is taken against Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual harassment, within the next five days.
The grapples have been protesting against the inaction against Brij Bhushan Singh even though the BJP MP has been booked by the Delhi Police. The decision by wrestlers to immerse their medals came days after they were dragged and detained during a march to the new Parliament building on May 28.
The day began with an emotive message from the grapplers. It seems that these medals decorated around our necks have no meaning any more, a statement from Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat read. Referring to Sunday’s crackdown, the wrestlers said the police and the administration are treating them as criminals.
At around 6 pm, the protesting wrestlers arrived at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to immerse their medals, including Olympics and Commonwealth medals. Striking visuals showed the wrestlers, in tears, sitting at the Ganga ghat, holding the medals close to their chest. Soon after, supporters gathered, raised slogans and asked the grapplers to halt their plan to immerse medals.