Wrestlers contemplate shifting protest venue to Ram Lila ground | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last 24 days, India’s leading wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold winner Vinesh Phogat, are now considering relocating their agitation to Ram Lila ground to turn it into a “national movement.”
The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they allege sexually harassed seven women grapplers, including a minor.

“We will discuss it (taking the protest to the Ram Lila ground) among ourselves and will take a decision about it soon,” said Sakshi, reacting to Bhim Army president Chandrashekhar Azad’s suggestion that the agitation should be made a “national movement” by taking it to Ram Lila maidan, a much bigger venue than the current one at Jantar Mantar.
Azad returned to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday with his followers, after being asked to leave the previous night by the authorities.
Azad encouraged the wrestlers to consider relocating their agitation to Ram Lila ground after May 21, which is the deadline set by khap panchayats for the government to take action against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan.

While wrestler Sakshi Malik did not provide clarification on whether the protest will move to Ram Lila ground entirely or continue at Jantar Mantar, Azad urged the wrestlers to consider making their protest “bigger” by shifting the location.
On Monday, Vinesh said that the wrestlers felt they were being restricted and pushed into a corner at Jantar Mantar and they would agitate at other places. She had also alleged that the wrestlers were being stalked at the protest site at Jantar Mantar.

While the ad hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association has taken charge of the national federation from WFI officials, the wrestlers have stuck to their demand for the arrest of Brij Bhushan.
Azad, in his speech, said, “Even if you people (wrestlers and their supporters) sit here (at Jantar Mantar) it will not have an effect on the government. Since this is your (wrestlers’) agitation, we will support you wholeheartedly and not take a decision on your behalf.

“But you will have to take a decision on May 21 whether you want to sit at the protest site or make it a bigger movement.”
The wrestlers, in keeping with their objective of connecting with more people and making them aware of the alleged harassment they had faced at the hands of Brij Bhushan, had taken out a march at Connaught Place on Monday.

On Tuesday, they again decided to hit the streets of Delhi by taking out a procession from Jantar Mantar to Hanuman temple near Connaught Place.
The wrestlers on Monday decided to make their “agitation global” by approaching Olympic medallists and athletes in other countries and highlighting their plight.
(With PTI inputs)