IMAGE: Wrestlers put on black bands throughout their ongoing protest. Photographs: PTI
Calling it a “black day”, the protesting grapplers and their supporters on Thursday wore black bands with Bajrang Punia, one of many outstanding faces of the sit-in, alleging that their cellphone numbers are being tracked.
The protest in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers, entered the 18th day.
Top Indian grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang, Sakshi Malik, Satyawart Kaidyan and Jitender Kinha all tied black bands on their foreheads whereas a few supporters sported them on their arms as a mark of protest in opposition to what they see as lack of motion in opposition to Brij Bhushan.
The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who they’ve accused of sexual exploitation of a number of ladies grapplers together with a minor.
The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs, together with one beneath part 10 of POCSO act in opposition to the BJP MP, who has denied all the costs.
“We are observing a black day as we speak in protest in opposition to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. We are assured of our victory as the whole nation is with us in our struggle,” Bajrang mentioned.
“Day by day our protest is gaining momentum and we’ll proceed to struggle until we get justice.
“Nowadays our cellphone numbers are being tracked, we’re being handled in a method the place it appears as if we’ve dedicated a crime. Whoever is in our contact is being tracked, I’m telling you,” Bajrang advised reporters.
The World Championship and Olympic medallist was crucial of athlete Seema Antil, who mentioned their protest has had a damaging affect on the game with camps and trails not going down.
“I do not perceive that she is saying that we’re inflicting injury to the game quite than Brij Bhushan. It’s very unusual that she would not perceive this regardless of being a sportsperson.
“I do not assume she ought to have mentioned what she mentioned. We respect her she is a good athlete however she ought to assume earlier than popping out with a assertion,” Bajrang mentioned.
A big delegation of Bharat Kishan Union Ekta (Azad), principally comprising ladies from Punjab arrived on the Jantar Mantar right here on Thursday to indicate their solidarity in direction of the protesting wrestlers.
Speaking of the opportunity of monetary bungling, he requested the WFI, “Which cash have you ever spent, the place has Tata’s cash gone. The Tatas have been providing you with cash for the final 5 years, the place is that cash?
“We have additionally requested Ratan Tata ji to seek out this out, whether or not his cash is reaching the precise place,” the ace wrestler added.
On the brighter facet, Bajrang welcomed the transfer to carry the ladies’s camp in Patiala.
“We welcome the shifting of the ladies’s camp to Patiala. Wherever athletes have entry to all of the amenities arrange camp there quite than having it in a place the place they’re being exploited and mistreated.”
Besides members of Mazdood Adhikar Sangathan, Sonipat and a small delegation of youth college students from Bhagat Singh Youth Union, Maharashtra additionally got here in assist of the wrestlers on Thursday.
Bajrang continued, “See nothing is greater than the judiciary. We have full religion within the courtroom, our struggle is for the reality. I do not assume India has seen one thing like this up to now.
“We get energy after we see the assist we’re getting from all corners from of the nation.
“This was the time to arrange for the Asian Games and Olympics, so it is very unhappy and unlucky. It’s a large loss for sports activities that we’ve been protesting for the previous 19 days.”
