New Delhi: The protesting wrestlers decided on Tuesday that the planned maha panchayat outside the new parliament building on May 28 will be led by women and youth, and any major decision on its future course will henceforth be made by them.
On Tuesday, thousands of supporters of Jantar Mantar wrestlers marched to India Gate under extremely heavy security, chanting slogans demanding the arrest of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The protesting wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, have demanded the arrest of Brij Bhushan for alleging that he sexually harassed several female wrestlers, including a minor.
The supporters braved the extreme heat and dust storm of the late evening as they marched peacefully in unprecedented numbers towards India Gate, which could have led to a stampede, but thankfully no untoward incident occurred.
#WATCH | Wrestlers protest by candlelight in Delhi demanding arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations against him pic.twitter.com/yHxDhBx6He
— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2023
Waving hundreds of tricolors, the supporters, who had come from neighboring states, echoed the same sentiments as the injured wrestlers and demanded the harshest punishments for Brij Bhushan.
To ensure their voices reached the maximum number of supporters, Vinesh, Bajrang and Sakshi climbed onto a police barricade at India Gate to address them, even as hundreds of candles were lit and supporters crouched at the venue with signs and slogans shouting at Bry Bhushan.
“For the past month we have been protesting (for government to take action against Brij Bhushan) and it is a pity that nothing has been done so far. Today we held a candle march at India Gate and we are getting reports that various organizations across the country held candle marches in their cities and districts.
“We are also getting news that hundreds of our supporters have been stopped from entering the national capital,” Vinesh said.
Vinesh, buoyed by the support of the thousands of people gathered at India Gate, said she hoped to get justice soon.
“I am hopeful that we will get justice soon,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to the supporters for the “peaceful” match.
“We are pleased to have concluded the procession peacefully, despite thousands of supporters from various organizations across the country.
“The khaps have decided that a maha panchayat led by women and youth will be held on May 28 near the new parliament building. We made this decision because this is a fight for the integrity and respect of women.” said Bajrang.
“The khap panchayats will continue to lend their support, but this protest will be led by our women. They will define the future strategy (of the agitation) and the khaps will provide background support,” he said.
“Any major decision on the agitation will not be made until after May 28,” he added.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)