When CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat arrived at the protest site at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, the grapplers urged her to leave the stage, stating that they did not want anyone politicizing the demonstration.
Bajrang Punia, who earned the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, pleaded with the moderator not to politicise the situation.
#WATCH | CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat asked to step down from the stage during wrestlers' protest against WFI at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/sw8WMTdjsk
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
Punia was one of hundreds of wrestlers who gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to protest the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). They did this a day after Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, two of India’s best female wrestlers, accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP and WFI president, of sexual harassment. However, Singh has denied the accusations.
Karat had arrived at the protest location to provide assistance.
Punia clarified that no politician would be permitted to speak at the rally by stating, “This is a protest to safeguard the sport and the future of women wrestlers.” “This is not a political issue.”
