UWW strongly condemned the police action and the detention of the wrestlers
NEW-DELHI: The Protest of Wrestlers has been going on for almost a month. Recently, Delhi Police has removed wrestlers from Jantar Mantar. The country's top wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, arrived at the river Ganga on Tuesday to throw their medals, but the immersion program was postponed for five days following a request from Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national president Naresh Tikait.
United World Wrestling (UWW) has now come forward in support of the wrestlers. Wrestlers' apex body UWW has threatened to suspend the Indian Wrestling Federation (IWF). Notably, many Indian wrestlers are opposing the president of the wrestling association and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually abusing the athletes.
United World Wrestling issued a statement on Tuesday, strongly condemning the police action and the detention of the wrestlers. On May 28, the police detained more than 100 male and female wrestlers and their supporters from Jantar Mantar. However, late in the evening all the women wrestlers were released. After this other wrestlers were also released.
UWW said that the latest incident is alarming. It is even more alarming that the protesting wrestlers were temporarily detained by the police. The place where they were protesting for a month was also cleaned by the administration.
The UWW strongly condemns such treatment and detention of wrestlers. The Agency also expressed disappointment over the investigation so far. The UWW urges the relevant authorities to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the allegations.
The United World Wrestling further said, "If the elections of Wrestling Federation of India are not held within 45 days then it can be suspended."
Wrestlers agitating against Brij Bhushan had announced to throw their medals into the Ganga at Hari Ki Pauri, Haridwar. Recently, wrestlers said that medals are their life and soul. After being washed away in the Ganga, there will be no point in their living, so they will sit on a 'fast unto death' at the India Gate.
