On Wednesday evening, dramatic scenes were broadcast from Haridwar as Naresh Tikait, a farmer activist, stopped the protesting wrestlers from immersing their medals in the Ganga. Top-ranked wrestlers from the nation, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, travelled to Haridwar and sat in silence along the banks of the Ganga in protest against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment.
The Ganga Aarti Samiti advised the wrestler not to take advantage of the religious place for protest or politics amid the chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Nyay Do.” The national head of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Naresh, pledged support for the wrestlers, adding that they were their daughters and wouldn’t fail them.
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Wrestlers convinced not to throw their medals in river Ganga:
Hundreds of spectators gathered around emotional players as they were cheered on with banners. Naresh Tikait, a farmer leader, later arrived at the protest location, spoke with the players, and urged them not to throw their medals. He questioned the government’s inaction on the issue as well.
As the wrestlers departed the location and the banks of the Ganga River, Naresh demanded a five-day window of time before taking their medals.
Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, backed the wrestlers as well, saying it was terrible for the nation that the athletes had to travel to Haridwar to dip their medals in the Ganga as a form of protest against the Union government.
The wrestlers have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan of molesting several female competitors. Numerous fans had gathered in a cordon around Sakshi, Vinesh, and her cousin Sangeeta as they were spotted sobbing while their husbands sought to comfort them. After arriving at Har ki Pauri, the wrestlers stood there in silence for nearly 20 minutes. They then sat on the riverbanks looking upset while carrying their medals.
Many people are also in support of the government, claiming that the wrestlers are just creating a big fuss about a small matter to defame the government. However, it is sad to see the total non-involvement of the government. While the female wrestlers were being dragged and beaten by the Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar, the central government took no action whatsoever.
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