Wrestlers issue 5-day ultimatum before they immerse gold medals in river Ganga
New Delhi : Protesting wrestlers in New Delhi have temporarily suspended their plan to give away their gold medals and have issued a 5-day ultimatum to the government before they proceed with their plans to immerse their gold medals in holy river Ganga.
It has been learned that the people at the protesting site have consoled and asked the wrestlers to hold on and wait for some more time as the medals have been earned for India after years of hard work and dedication. According to a news report, farmers' leader Rakesh Tikait has also stepped in the matter.
Sakshi Malik has won one Olympic bronze and three medals at the Commonwealth Games. Vinesh Phogat has won two World Championship medals, two medals at Asiad and three Commonwealth Games medals. Bajrang Punia has won an Olympic bronze, four World Championships medals, two Asian Games and three Commonwealth Games medals.
The wrestlers have been protesting against the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his alleged misconduct with the female athletes. No strong action has been taken on the demands of the wrestlers so far.
"The significance of these medals adorning our necks appears to have vanished," expressed the statement in Hindi, shared via Twitter by prominent athletes such as Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat. The wrestlers further stated, "The authorities and the system are treating us like criminals, while the offender openly assaults us during public gatherings." They were referring to the recent crackdown that occurred on Sunday during the inauguration of the new parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the protest march to the new parliament on Sunday, the Delhi Police detained the demonstrators. Disturbing images of champions Vinesh Phogat and her cousin Sangeeta Phogat being physically restrained and forced to the ground by the police sparked a wave of shock and indignation throughout the nation.
