New Delhi: Amidst the deafening silence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) over the protest in opposition to the wrestling federation chief, Hisar MP Brijendra Singh reiterated his assist to the grapplers, saying it was “completely heartbreaking” that they had been pressured to the brink of throwing away their lifetime of arduous work.
Singh had final month tweeted that “it’s disheartening to see our wrestlers protesting on the streets”.
On Tuesday, aggrieved wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat, who signify the collective voice of the protest, had introduced to symbolically “immerse” their medals within the Ganga at Haridwar.
Later within the night, the wrestlers arrived at Haridwar the place they had been ultimately dissuaded by farmer chief Naresh Tikait, who intervened on the eleventh hour. After facilitating a “five-day ultimatum” to the federal government, Tikait took the medals from the group of agitating wrestlers.
I really feel the ache and helplessness of our wrestlers forcing them to the brink of throwing away their lifetime of hardwork- the medals from Olympics, CWGs, Asian Video games within the holy Ganga.
Completely heartbreaking.
— Brijendra Singh (@BrijendraSpeaks) May 30, 2023
The BJP MP additionally informed the media that the matter ought to have been resolved when the wrestlers final sat in protest a couple of months in the past.
ThePrint reached Brijendra Singh and Haryana BJP president O.P. Dhankar over the telephone for a remark, however didn’t get a response until the time of publication. This report will likely be up to date if and when a response is obtained.
Brijendra Singh, alongside together with his father and former Union minister Birender Singh, joined the BJP from the Congress celebration forward of the 2014 Haryana election. Previously, they’ve been supportive of the farmers protesting in opposition to the three farm legal guidelines and have voiced their issues in regards to the dealing with of the protests.
The Singhs have additionally been brazenly difficult the Jannayak Janta Social gathering (JJP) chief and Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, who presently represents the Uchana meeting seat. Each the events are eyeing Jind’s Uchana seat within the 2024 election, even because the BJP is in alliance with the JJP within the state.
Haryana Residence Minister Anil Vij was the primary outstanding voice from the northern state to assist the wrestlers. Earlier this month, he publicly expressed his assist for the athletes who’re protesting in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vij supplied to intervene and take the matter to increased authorities with a view to search a peaceable decision.
Dhankar had additionally stated that the agitating wrestlers are “daughters” of Haryana and that he has taken up their calls for with Union sports activities minister Anurag Thakur. Whereas Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had stated the problem was not associated to Haryana, his deputy Dushyant Chautala has demanded “strictest potential motion” earlier.
Chief of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son Deepender have come out in assist of the wrestlers of their protest in opposition to the WFI chief. The senior Congress chief had met the wrestlers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on 25 April.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Additionally Learn: Wrestlers pause plan to ‘immerse’ medals in Ganga, give govt 5-day ultimatum over WFI chief