As the protest organised by wrestlers enters day 15, Jantar Mantar will witness the 'khap mahapanchayat' on Sunday, which the agitators hope will earn them more support in their fight against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The 'khap' panchayat leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha are reportedly marching towards Jantar Mantar on Sunday. However, they were reportedly stopped by police at Tikri Border from trying to enter Delhi.
The SKM had announced it will hold nationwide protests in Delhi. It was the SKM that spearheaded the year-long farmers' protest on the borders of the national capital against the now-repealed farm laws.
Following this, security has been beefed up near Jantar Mantar. According to a senior Delhi Police official, stringent security measures are in place near Jantar Mantar for the delegation's visit. Checking in the bordering areas has been beefed up and barricades put in place. Additional deployment will be made, especially in the bordering areas, and patrolling enhanced, the official told PTI.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday urged the supporters to be peaceful on Sunday so that bad elements do not hijack the protest. "A lot of people are expected to join us from villages... khap panchayats, kisan and mazdoor unions, student organisations to support us. We appeal to everyone to be peaceful. Our success depends on a peaceful demonstration. We also request all who will come tomorrow to cooperate with authorities and police," said the Asian Games gold medallist.
VIDEO | A group of farmers trying to enter Delhi to join wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar stopped by police at Tikri Border. pic.twitter.com/3L8WyKWgQu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2023
Bajrang, an Olympic medallist, too appealed to the countrymen to observe a candlelight march on Sunday to show solidarity with the protesting grapplers. "We request all Indians to come out with a candlelight march at 7 pm on May 7," he said.
Another Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik said they are yet to decide the future course of action as their lawyers are still working on it. She said the decision to approach a lower court as directed by the Supreme Court can be taken only after the Delhi Police expedites the inquiry and records statements of all the complainants.
"We have discussed with our lawyers. Our statements are yet to be recorded, we have been waiting for that. The police has been given a deadline to complete recording of statements within a time frame. Once the statement is recorded, only then the case can proceed further. We request the police to record our statements as soon as possible," she said.
Asked whether Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had approached them, she said: There is no approach from his side. He already knows our demands, so it doesn't make sense to meet him again. If he wants to talk to us, we will definitely talk."
Bajrang said the two committees formed on Saturday have the full authority to decide their future course of action.
On Ganguly's remarks
Vinesh Phogat on Sunday reacted to former cricketer Sourav Ganguly's remarks that he "didn’t know what was happening", by stating that they were ready to enlighten him of the situation if he contacts them.
"If he wants to support us in our pursuit of justice, he can come to Jantar Mantar as an athlete and understand everything from us," Vinesh Phogat told reporters.
When asked about the wrestlers' protest, Ganguly had said the wrestlers could fight their battle. "Let them fight their battle. That’s what it is. I really do not know what’s happening there. I obviously read in the newspapers and I realise one thing in the sports world that you don’t talk about things that you don’t have complete knowledge about," Ganguly said.
