Farmers on May 8 broke through police barricades to join the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as top wrestlers continue their protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat are among the Indian wrestlers who have been protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment. The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. Today is the 15th day of their protest.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) had earlier on May 6 declared its support for their efforts. After a late-night altercation at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police and protesters engaged in a “blame game,” which culminated with the grapplers threatening to return their medals and awards.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s breakaway group, the SKM (non-political), was the driving force behind the year-long protests against the farm laws, which have since been repealed.
Speaking on the allegation against Sharan Singh, farmer leader Joginder Singh, at the Tikri border, had said, “They are in power and it is very difficult to stand against a person who is misusing his power and position for so long, but we will fight against it.”
“Government’s job is to stop us but we will go to the place where we want to go. If they try to stop us, it will cost them. There are no plans of staying here, if government and administration stop us, then we’ll have to stay here,” he added.
