Protesting wrestlers rule out hitting roads again, say fight against WFI chief will be just a legal battle now

Posting an identical tweet on social media, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia said the government has fulfilled its promise of filing a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

“In this case, the wresters’ will continue till we get justice but it (fight) will be in court and not on road,” the statement on twitter read.

“Regarding the reform in WFI, the election process, as promised, has begun. We will wait for fulfilment of promises made by the government regarding the July 11 elections,” they added.

A few minutes after posting the statement, Vinesh and Sakshi tweeted that they are taking a break from social media for a few days.

Earlier, on Saturday the Protesting wrestlers had asserted that they could hit the streets again to resume their agitation against WFI chief.

In a live address on social media on Saturday, the trio of Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang had attacked former wrestler and now BJP leader Yogeshwar Dutt for questioning the IOA ad-hoc panel’s decision to grant them exemption from Asian Games trials.

During the near 40-minute address, the protesting wrestlers had asserted that their fight against Singh will continue and they will deliberate how to continue this fight after evaluating the chargesheet filed against Singh.

“People are asking us why are we silent. The time (to suspend protest) was till June 15. This fight will continue, whether it is on the mat or off the mat, but the fight for justice will continue,” Vinesh had said.

“Till Brij Bhushan is not put behind bars, he doesn’t pay for his sins, it will continue. We are waiting for a copy of chargesheet. We will evaluate if it is strong enough for justice. Whether we will sit on road or put our lives at stake, we will decide. That’s why we are silent. Our fight has not ended,” she had said.

She also alleged that Dutt was targeting them because of his self interest.

“You (Dutt) had scared wrestlers that’s why they did not come in the second protest (from April 23). You put pressure on them that they will lose their jobs. People told us that they were with us but they have compulsions that they can’t come,” Vinesh said.

“I will tell you why you are doing this. Brij Bhushan might have offered you the post of WFI President and that’s why you have sided with him.”

The wrestlers, who got massive support from farmer leaders, khap panchayats and several other organisation, sat on Jantar Mantar for 38 days before Delhi Police detained them for violating law and order on May 28.

Updated: 25 Jun 2023, 11:49 PM IST