Protesting wrestlers in India have decided to expand their agitation by reaching out to Olympic medalists and athletes from around the world. The wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the past 23 days, demanding the arrest of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. They accuse him of sexually harassing female wrestlers, including a minor.
Vinesh Phogat announced their plan to take the protest global and seek support from Olympians of other countries. They intend to write to them, requesting their solidarity in their fight for justice. Feeling restricted and cornered at the protest site, the wrestlers believe that expanding their agitation to other locations and informing people worldwide will strengthen their cause.
The wrestlers also expressed concerns about their safety at the protest site. They claimed that they have been stalked and harassed, with people recording and taking unauthorized photographs. There have even been reports of unknown individuals, including women, infiltrating their tents at night. These incidents have tainted their fight for truth and justice and prompted them to consider raising awareness among all citizens in the country, beyond the protest site.
A deadline of May 21 has been set for authorities to take action against Brij Bhushan. If no decision is made by that date, the protesting wrestlers have warned of a major decision regarding their agitation. They remain determined to continue their struggle until justice is served and their demands are met.
The wrestlers are resolute in their mission to seek justice, not only for themselves but also for all victims of harassment. They are determined to bring international attention to their cause, emphasizing the need for accountability and ensuring a safe environment for athletes in the world of wrestling.