IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and fellow wrestlers prepare forward of Day 5 of their protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Photographs: ANI Photo and Atul Yadav/PTI
With no voice of assist from the powers-that-be, the sit-in protest by India’s prime wrestlers in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh enters the fifth day.
IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat helps Sakshi Malik stretch.
Top grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia amongst others are protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in opposition to the WFI chief over allegations of sexual harassment. They had been seen coaching forward of what will be one other draining day with their woes falling on deaf ears.
IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik train forward of their sit-in protest on Thursday.
IMAGE: Wrestlers prepare forward of their continued protests on Thursday.
The wrestlers have acquired assist from a number of quarters together with Olympic Gold Medalist Abhinav Bindra and ex-governor (of Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa and Meghalaya) Satya Pal Malik, who visited the wrestlers on Wednesday.
IMAGE: The wrestlers head out for a jog on Thursday morning forward of their protest.
IMAGE: Wrestlers prepare forward of their continued protests.
IMAGE: Wrestlers warm-up forward of one other intense day of protest.
IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat and her fellow athletes is joined by a younger supporter on their morning jog.
IMAGE: Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat get up in their tent on the protest website on Thursday.
‘This struggle is not only theirs — it’s for all girls in our nation,’ Malik informed reporters on Wednesday.
‘I need to inform these younger girls to be affected person, as a result of you will achieve success. The complete nation is behind you. History will remember you for ending corruption in the sector of wrestling,’ he added.
IMAGE: Bajrang Punia greets Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
IMAGE: Sakshi Malik welcomes Satya Pal Malik on the protest website.
IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik are showered with petals by supporters.
IMAGE: Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat are consoled by a supporter.
IMAGE: Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat break down.
IMAGE: Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat cannot comprise their tears.
Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com