Wrestlers to hold women’s mahapanchayat in front of new Parliament building on May 28

Wrestlers protesting in Delhi against the wrestling federation chief have decided to hold a women’s mahapanchayat in front of the new Parliament building on May 28.

The new Parliament building will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same day.

“We have decided to hold a peaceful women’s Mahapanchayat in front of the new Parliament on May 28,” wrestler Vinesh Phogat told reporters on Tuesday after concluding the march from Jantar Mantar to India Gate.

Vinesh Phogat said women will lead the mahapanchayat, adding, “Since this voice has been raised, it should reach far and wide. If justice is served to daughters of the country today, coming generations will draw courage from it.”

ABOUT WRESTLERS’ PROTEST

Several top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since April 23, accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment.

The women wrestlers had approached the Supreme Court and two FIRs were registered on April 28. One FIR was registered against Brij Bhushan Singh under POSCO in the matter of sexual harassment with a minor girl, while another FIR was registered for sexual harassment with other complainants.

Earlier this month, the Delhi Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh.

Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry has cancelled all activities of the wrestling federation till the investigation into the allegations by the wrestlers is completed.