News Brief
Delhi: Young Wrestlers Protest At Jantar Mantar, Blame Punia, Malik, And Phogat For Career Setback
Pic Via Twitter
The ongoing crisis in Indian wrestling escalated on Wednesday (3 January) as hundreds of junior wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar to express their discontent over the loss of a pivotal year in their careers.
They blamed this setback on top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat.
The junior wrestlers, hailing from various regions of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi, arrived in buses, taking the police by surprise.
Nearly 300 participants hailed from Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat, while a significant number also arrived from the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela.
Many are still packed in buses and they plan to deboard and join their colleagues when more wrestlers arrive at the landmark protest site, PTI reported.
The security personnel struggled to control them as they shouted slogans against Punia, Malik and Phogat.
The protesters were carrying banners that read: 'UWW save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers'.
In a twist of irony, the same protest location was the scene nearly a year ago where the three leading wrestlers successfully rallied significant backing for their cause.
They had demanded the arrest of the former WFI chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers.
Thousands of people from different sections of society, including farmers groups, social workers, politicians, women's groups and members of the wrestling fraternity, came out to support Malik, Phogat and Punia.
The three are now facing protests from within their community with those assembled at Jantar Mantar, accusing them of ruining their careers.
Since January 2023, national camps and competitions have been on hold as the WFI has been suspended twice and an ad-hoc panel is running the sport.
The demonstrators on Wednesday called for the reinstatement of the suspended WFI after disbanding the ad-hoc panel which has been appointed to run the sport by the sports ministry.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
