Wrestlers in India have been protesting for over 10 days, demanding the arrest and removal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh is facing sexual harassment allegations from some of India’s top wrestlers and has said that he will hang himself if even a single allegation against him is proven true. Singh had earlier stated that he would resign as WFI president if his party asked him to.
Singh has denied the allegations and claims that he doesn’t even know the minor girl who accused him of harassment. He also states that the girl did not testify before the oversight committee formed to investigate the matter. Singh submitted an audio clip to the committee in which Bajrang Punia was allegedly heard asking someone to arrange a girl. Singh alleges that after three months, a fresh allegation was made against him.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an alliance of farmers’ groups, announced a nationwide protest in support of the wrestlers’ agitation, including in Delhi. Security has been heightened in the national capital in response to the announcement. According to a statement by the SKM, leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh will visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar to support the protesting wrestlers.
In addition, members of the Kirti Kisan Union have also joined the wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar. The situation remains tense as the protests continue.