Wrestlers to discontinue street protests, to shift fight against Brij Bhushan to court

New Delhi: In a significant development, the wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have announced their decision to take their fight to the court rather than continuing their street demonstrations.

Top Indian grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia shared an identical tweet affirming that the government has fulfilled its promise by filing a chargesheet against Singh.

The statement on Twitter emphasized that their battle for justice will persist, but it will be pursued within the legal system instead of on the streets.

The wrestlers also mentioned their expectation that the government will honour its commitment regarding the scheduled WFI elections on July 11, as part of the promised reforms.

Shortly after posting the statement, Vinesh and Sakshi revealed that they would be taking a temporary break from social media.

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During a live address on social media, the trio, consisting of Vinesh, Sakshi, and Bajrang, criticized former wrestler and current BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt for questioning the decision of the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc panel to exempt them from the Asian Games trials.

In their nearly 40-minute address, the wrestlers reiterated their determination to continue their fight against Singh and stated that they would deliberate on the future course of action once they had evaluated the chargesheet filed against him.

Vinesh asserted, " People are asking us why we are silent. The time (to suspend protest) was till June 15. This fight will continue, whether it is on the mat or off the mat, but the fight for justice will continue."

“Till Brij Bhushan is not put behind bars, he doesn't pay for his sins, it will continue. We are waiting for a copy of chargesheet. We will evaluate if it is strong enough for justice. Whether we will sit on road or put our lives at stake, we will decide. That's why we are silent. Our fight has not ended”, she added.

Vinesh further alleged that Dutt was targeting them due to his personal interests. She accused him of intimidating other wrestlers, which resulted in their absence during the second phase of the protests starting from April 23.

She stated, "You (Dutt) had scared wrestlers that's why they did not come in the second protest. You put pressure on them that they will lose their jobs. People told us that they were with us but they have compulsions that they can't come”.

"I will tell you why you are doing this. Brij Bhushan might have offered you the post of WFI President and that's why you have sided with him”, she continued.

Following their eviction from Jantar Mantar on May 28, the wrestlers temporarily suspended their protests until June 15, based on assurances from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur that a chargesheet would be filed against Singh by that date.

Moreover, none of Singh's family members would be allowed to contest the WFI elections. The wrestlers, who received extensive support from farmer leaders, khap panchayats, and various organizations, had staged a 38-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar before being detained by the Delhi Police for violating law and order on May 28.

Their initial demonstration began on January 18 and was suspended for three days after Thakur pledged to investigate their allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against the 66-year-old Singh, who is also a six-time BJP MP.

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