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posted by: Pragati Pal
Last updated: May 05, 2023, at 15:31 IST
Mahavir Phogat said he would return his medals if justice was not served in the case. (Image / ANI file)
Wrestlers have been sitting in protest in the national capital since April 23, calling for the arrest of Indian Wrestling Federation president and BJP member Singh over the alleged sexual harassment of seven wrestlers, including a minor.
In support of the protesting wrestlers, Dronacharya’s award-winning coach Mahavir Singh Phogat on Friday threatened to return his medals if justice was not done and demanded the arrest of IBF President Brij Bhushan Charan Singh.
Wrestlers, including Olympic medalist duo of Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punya and world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, have been sitting in protest in the national capital since April 23, calling for the arrest of Indian Wrestling Federation president and BJP member Singh on allegations of racism. Sexual harassment of seven wrestlers, including a minor.
“I will return my medals if justice is not done in the case,” said Mahavir Phogat.
Mahavir Phogat, who joined the BJP more than three years ago, added, “From the kind of allegations he is facing, action should be taken against him and he should be arrested.”
When asked if he had spoken to the government or raised the matter at party level, he said: “No there has been no talk yet.” The protesting wrestlers also threatened to return their medals and trophies, including the Padma Shri, to the government after they were mistreated by Delhi police on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, many Khaps in Haryana have also given support to the protesting athletes.
On Thursday, many of the bakers staged protests including in Hissar, Bhiwani, Jind and Rutak, expressing solidarity with the wrestlers and demanding justice for them.
Notably, Mahavir Phogat is the father of wrestlers Babita and Gita Phogat, who were arrested by the police along with her husband on Thursday when she tried to meet the protesting wrestlers in Jantar Mantar.
He is also the uncle of Fenech, who is at the forefront of the protest.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is republished from a syndicated news agency feed.)
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