Support for wrestlers, who have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, since April 23, is widening with every passing day, even as the Narendra Modi government stubbornly refuses to take action against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, against whom very serious allegations of sexual harassment have been made by the women wrestlers, including a minor. The international award-winning wrestlers have been protesting day and night at Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. The Delhi police which works under the Union Home Ministry has so far not even questioned the accused, even though two FIRs were filed against him, including one under POCSA Act based on the allegations of a minor, only after the Supreme Court intervened.
On Saturday, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a platform of farmers unions that led the historic farmers’ struggle for repealing three pro-corporate farm laws on the borders of Delhi, also announced that hundreds of farmers, shall once again visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend fullest support to the wrestlers demanding immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. SKM announced a nation-wide agitation programme to be held from May 11-18 in support of the women wrestlers.
Earlier on Thursday, around 30 Khap Panchayats from Western UP had unanimously decided to support the ongoing wrestlers’ protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India chief. On Sunday, 7 May, the Khaps along with farmer leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan will proceed towards Delhi to join the protesters.
The protesting wrestlers expressed hope that the Khap mahapanchayat scheduled at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, 7 May, will be of huge success and will help in getting more support for them in their fight against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia has appealed to the countrymen to observe a candlelight march on Sunday to show solidarity with the protesting wrestlers.
Below is the press release of the SKM demanding immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.
*Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) | Press Release – 6th May, 2023*
*SKM Announces Nation-wide Agitation Programs in Support of Protesting Wrestlers & Demands Arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh*
*Delhi, 6th May, 2023:* SKM today announced a nation-wide agitation program in support of women wrestlers who have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since 23rd April 2023, after the Modi Govt failed to fulfil its promise to the sportspersons given in January 2023 to investigate and take necessary steps against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, against whom very serious allegations of sexual harassment have been made by the women sportspersons, including a minor.
On 7th May, 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 fullest support to the wrestlers. SKM Leaders shall also lead deputation to important administrative and political persons like Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Union Sports Minister, Home Minister etc. and demand immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.
From 11th to 18th May, an all-India agitation program shall be held in all states of India, at State Capitals, District HQ and Taluk HQ. Public Meetings and Protest Marches shall be held and Effigy of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and his supporter, the BJP Union Govt shall be burned.
SKM strongly condemns Delhi Police for not acting with due sensitivity as per the law to arrest the accused and ensure in-camera proceedings. SKM also condemns Delhi Police’s denial of basic civil rights of the protesting sportspersons (who are pride of the nation) of access to water, electricity, protection, bedding etc.
It may be kept in mind that the national meeting of SKM held on 30th April 2023 had firmly and unequivocally expressed support to and solidarity with the protesting women wrestlers of India and demanded immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.