The protesting wrestlers hand over medals to BKU chief
New Delhi: Agitating wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, handed over their medals to Bhartiya Kisan Union chief and Balian Khap head Naresh Tikait, a special report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says
Tikait had reached Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri to prevent the wrestlers from throwing their medals into the Ganga as a symbolic act of protest against Wrestling Federation of India head, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they have accused of sexual harassment.
Tikait, along with the wrestlers, have now given five days to the government to sort out their demands, failing which wrestlers will go ahead with their original decision to throw their medals into the Ganga.
A large gathering assembled at Har ki Pauri, witnessing the wrestlers’ poignant demonstration after they reached there with their world championship and Olympic medals.
Emotions ran high, and Sakshi, Vinesh, and Vinesh’s cousin Sangeeta were visibly overcome, and their husbands offered consolation as their numerous supporters formed a protective circle.
Earlier, the wrestlers stood in silence for approximately 20 minutesat Har ka Pauri. Subsequently, they squatted by the riverbank, clutching their medals, their expressions reflecting profound distress.
The wrestlers had also announced that they will sit on a hunger strike at India Gate after the immersion programme, but Delhi Police sources said that they will not be allowed to protest at the national monument.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said it was shameful for the country that the wrestlers planned to immerse their medals in the Ganga as they were fed up with the central government.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there are tears in the eyes of the whole country. He said the Prime Minister should leave his arrogance now.
BKU chief Rakesh Tikait in a tweet assured the wrestlers that farm leaders and Khap representatives were coming to meet them at Haridwar. He appealed to the players to not take any step in haste.
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Deepender Hooda appealed to protesting wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia not to go ahead with their decision to throw away their medals in the Ganga at Haridwar.
In a tweet, he said: “You have not got these medals with the grace of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, but you have got them through years of hard work and dedication,” he said.
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