India's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting for the last two weeks at Jantar Mantar, a popular protest site in New Delhi, India.
Wrestlers from different parts of the country have been joining the protest to show solidarity. However, the protest gained significant attention when members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, a farmers' organization, joined the protest on May 8, 2023.
The farmers' involvement gave the protest a new dimension, as they too have been struggling with their own issues, such as controversial farm laws and MSP. The joint protest of the wrestlers and farmers attracted media attention, and it became a symbol of the growing discontent among various sections of society.
In a recent interaction with the media, Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Member of Parliament from Maharashtra and Deputy Leader of Shiv Sena, discussed the rules and regulations put in place to protect women. During the conversation, she criticized the Delhi police and administration for their failure to file an FIR and take appropriate action in this regard.
Chaturvedi expressed her disappointment in the lack of progress made in protecting women and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. She emphasized the importance of strict enforcement of laws and regulations designed to safeguard women's rights.
Chaturvedi's criticism of the Delhi police and administration is expected to draw attention to the issue and spur action from the authorities to address the concerns raised by women's rights advocates and activists.
Several farmer leaders spoke at Jantar Mantar today, where they demanded justice for the national wrestlers. When asked why farmers had joined the protest, Dr Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union Punjab, explained that village, kabaddi, and soldiers are all synonymous with rural India, as many players come from farming families.
Dr Pal emphasized that the struggles of wrestlers and farmers are interconnected, as both groups face similar challenges. He added that farmers' support for the wrestlers is a way to show solidarity and raise awareness.
The farmer leaders' presence at the protest is expected to amplify the wrestlers' demands and draw attention to the lack of support for athletes in the country. The joint protest by farmers and wrestlers is a powerful example of collective action and the strength of grassroots movements in bringing about social and political change.
The protesters demanded that the government take action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and improve the overall state of sports in the country. The authorities initially tried to disperse the protesters, but eventually, they allowed the demonstration to continue under tight security.
