The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual exploitation.
New Delhi:
1 Calling it a “black day”, the protesting grapplers and their supporters on Thursday wore black bands with Bajrang Punia, one of many distinguished faces of the sit-in, alleging that their telephone numbers are being tracked.
The protest towards Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers, entered the 18th day.
Top Indian grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang, Sakshi Malik, Satyawart Kaidyan and Jitender Kinha all tied black bands on their brow whereas just a few supporters sported them on their arms as a mark of protest towards what they see as an absence of motion towards Brij Bhushan.
The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who they’ve accused of sexual exploitation of a number of ladies grapplers together with a minor.
The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs, together with one beneath part 10 of POCSO act towards the BJP MP, who has denied all the costs.
“We are observing a black day right now in protest towards Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. We are assured of our victory as your complete nation is with us in our combat,” Bajrang Punia mentioned.
“Day by day our protest is gaining momentum and we’ll proceed to combat until we get justice.
“Nowadays our telephone numbers are being tracked, we’re being handled in a fashion the place it appears as if we’ve got dedicated a criminal offense. Whoever is in our contact is being tracked, I’m telling you,” Mr Punia advised reporters.
The World Championship and Olympic medallist was essential of athlete Seema Antil, who mentioned their protest has had a adverse impression on the game with camps and trails not going down.
“I do not perceive that she is saying that we’re inflicting harm to the game somewhat than Brij Bhushan. It’s very unusual that she does not perceive this regardless of being a sportsperson.
“I do not suppose she ought to have mentioned what she mentioned. We respect her she is an efficient athlete however she ought to suppose earlier than popping out with an announcement,” Mr Punia mentioned.
A big delegation of Bharat Kishan Union Ekta (Azad), principally comprising ladies from Punjab arrived on the Jantar Mantar on Thursday to point out their solidarity in the direction of the protesting wrestlers.
Speaking of the potential of monetary bungling, he requested the WFI, “Which cash have you ever spent, the place has Tata’s cash gone. The Tatas have been providing you with cash for the final 5 years, the place is that cash? “We have additionally requested Ratan Tata ji to seek out this out, whether or not his cash is reaching the fitting place,” the ace wrestler added.
On the brighter facet, Bajrang welcomed the transfer to carry the ladies’s camp in Patiala.
“We welcome the shifting of the ladies’s camp to Patiala. Wherever athletes have entry to all of the services arrange camp there somewhat than having it in a spot the place they’re being exploited and mistreated.” Besides members of Mazdood Adhikar Sangathan, Sonipat and a small delegation of youth college students from Bhagat Singh Youth Union, Maharashtra additionally got here in help of the wrestlers on Thursday.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia continued, “See nothing is greater than the judiciary. We have full religion within the court docket, our combat is for the reality. I do not suppose India has seen one thing like this previously.
“We get power after we see the help we’re getting from all corners from of the nation.
“This was the time to organize for the Asian Games and Olympics, so it’s totally unhappy and unlucky. It’s an enormous loss for sports activities that we’ve got been protesting for the previous 19 days.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)