In a show of solidarity, approximately 50 khaps or clan-based organizations in India have come together to support the ongoing protest led by the country’s top wrestlers. A gathering of representatives from these khaps took place in Muzaffarnagar, where they unanimously decided to extend their support and announced their intention to meet with President Droupadi Murmu to seek redress for the wrestlers. While the Union government emphasized its sensitive handling of the situation, the khaps remained determined to fight for justice.
The meeting, called by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Naresh Tikait and lasting around three hours, also resulted in several other decisions that will be disclosed at a forthcoming “mahapanchayat” in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Rakesh Tikait, a prominent leader of BKU, declared that the representatives of the khaps would meet the President and the government in order to advocate for the wrestlers, affirming their commitment to continue the fight until justice is served.
Khaps Rally Behind Wrestlers’ Protest, Vow to Seek ‘Justice’ and Approach President
Highlighting the wrestlers’ significant contributions to the nation and emphasizing their allegiance to the Tricolour, Rakesh Tikait stated, “The wrestlers won laurels for the country, and their only caste is the ‘tiranga’.” He further added that the society at large would stand up for them. This development occurred after Naresh Tikait successfully convinced celebrated wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, who collectively possess 45 senior international medals, to postpone the immersion of their medals in the Ganga. Amidst dramatic scenes in Haridwar, Naresh Tikait requested five days to address their demands.
The wrestlers’ primary demand is the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Gonda who held a dominant position in Indian wrestling for 12 years. Singh faces allegations of sexual harassment involving athletes, including minors. While Singh has denied the charges and retaliated against the wrestlers, even deeming their medals to be worth a mere ₹15 each, he has been removed from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which is currently suspended. Additionally, two FIRs have been filed against him. Nevertheless, the wrestlers insist on his immediate arrest.
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur, speaking in Mumbai, assured that the government had accepted the wrestlers’ request for a committee to investigate their allegations. He urged the wrestlers to trust the ongoing investigation, stating, “We are handling this issue very sensitively. Whatever the players demanded, we are doing all those things.” Thakur emphasized that necessary action would be taken once the Delhi Police filed the charge sheet, reiterating the government’s impartiality and importance placed on all players.
Notably, the wrestlers were absent from the Muzaffarnagar meeting and will not be present at the upcoming mahapanchayat in Kurukshetra. Chaudhary Surender Solanki, president of the influential Palam 360 khap, confirmed this arrangement. Rakesh Tikait, without providing further details, expressed that if the President and the government failed to take appropriate action, the khaps would proceed to the next step.
Solanki revealed that a delegation consisting of 5 to 7 members, excluding wrestlers, would be sent to meet with the President. He stated, “The delegation won’t have any wrestlers. Only khap and farm leaders will be part of it. We will soon write to the President and seek her time.” Singh, steadfastly denying all allegations, went so far as to assert that he would hang himself if
any of the accusations were proven against him. Expressing his stance in Gonda, he remarked, “It’s been four months. They want me to be hanged. The government is not hanging me, and so they are going to immerse their medals in the Ganga. Immersing your medals in the Ganga won’t get me hanged.”
Khaps Resolve to Secure ‘Justice’ for Wrestlers, Pledge to Meet President for Redress
Naresh Tikait, heading the Balyan khap, stressed that the battle would persist until the wrestlers obtained justice. He stated, “This is a common platform where everyone has their importance, and we will take a unanimous decision. Our battle for justice for wrestlers will continue.” The mahapanchayat witnessed the participation of representatives from various communities, including Gurjars, Muslims, and others, illustrating the inclusive nature of the event. Atul Pradhan, a Samajwadi Party (SP) lawmaker, assured the support of the Gurjar community in the fight for the “honour of daughters.”
The meeting in Muzaffarnagar saw the attendance of chiefs from different khaps, representing Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. Notably, the developments mark a significant turning point in the prolonged protest, as community leaders lend their support to the cause. The urgency for the government to engage with the protesters and find a resolution is accentuated, especially considering the pivotal year for Indian sports.
These recent events followed the unprecedented scenes witnessed in Haridwar, where wrestlers broke down during a televised gathering along the banks of the Ganga. Wrestlers Satyavrat Kadian and Somveer Rathee comforted their spouses, Harendra Malik and Vinesh Phogat, who clutched their boxes filled with medals. Bajrang Punia, a highly accomplished Indian wrestler, also succumbed to his emotions. To shield them from the large crowd gathered on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, their supporters formed a human chain.
Subsequently, all three wrestlers took to social media to express their anguish, particularly in light of their detention by the police during a march from Jantar Mantar to the new Parliament building. In their posts, they questioned the purpose of winning medals at the Olympics and World Championships if they were to be treated as criminals.