Wrestlers vs WFI: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor saddened with athletes fighting for justice on streets

On Wednesday, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said it was a shame that athletes honoured in the country for their success at the international level are now fighting for justice on the streets. The veteran politician, the last Governor of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir, said he spoke to Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia on Tuesday night and promised to visit them at the protest site.

The country's top wrestlers resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they have accused of sexual exploitation and intimidation of women athletes. "When our daughters win medals and unfurl the tri-colour, at that time very shamelessly, we invite them for tea to honour them and to click pictures with them, and today they are on the road. We should drown in shame," Malik said.

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"I appeal to all of you that you support them till their fight ends, and this gathering should get bigger and bigger," Malik said while addressing the gathering as wrestlers continued to get support from various quarters. The wheel-chair bound Malik said it was unfortunate that women wrestlers are being asked to provide evidence of sexual exploitation.

"It is not just your fight. It is a battle for the dignity of our daughters. Chaudhary Charan Singh used to say that if a woman is complaining of sexual exploitation, she should not be questioned, and no evidence should be demanded from her. We must accept and trust what they are saying. It should not have taken more than a minute [for Delhi Police] to file an FIR [against the WFI chief]. You [wrestlers] will emerge victorious. The entire country is with you," he continued.

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The 76-year-old Malik said history would remember these athletes for striving to eradicate corruption in wrestling. "I am glad that you are fighting despite being under pressure. But now that the farmers are on your side, your victory is assured," he said, referring to the support the wrestlers are getting from farmer organisations and 'khap' panchayats. Numerous farmer organisations, khap leaders, politicians, and women's organisations have visited the wrestlers at the protest site in the last three days, lending their support.

TRAINING AT PROTEST SITE
As the protest entered its fourth day since resumption on Sunday, the wrestlers, under the watchful eyes of coach Sujeet Mann, began training at the protest site itself. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Satyawart Kadiyan all began training at 7:30 am, and the session continued till 8:45 am.

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Asked if it's not risky to train on roads as it could lead to injuries to wrestlers, coach Mann said, "We have no option." "It's out of compulsion that we are forced to train on the road. What do we do? It's a year of Asian Games and World Championships, which is Olympic Qualifier, the wrestlers can't be out of line," Mann told PTI.

"There is no equipment, gym or mat, so whatever little we can do under the circumstances, we are doing. I asked them to run, and we also did some man-to-man technique practice. We also have some dumbbells here," he concluded.

(With inputs from PTI)