Young Indian wrestlers protest against Bajrang, Sakshi and Vinesh for loss of crucial year of career

ongoing crisis in Indian wrestling took a new twist on Wednesday when hundreds of junior wrestlers assembled at Jantar Mantar for a symbolic three-hour protest against loss of one crucial year of ir careers, a situation for which y blamed top grapplers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

Loed in buses, junior wrestlers arrived from different parts of Uttar Presh, Haryana and Delhi, catching police unawares.

Close to 300 of m came from Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat while many ors came from Virender Wrestling Acemy in Narela. security personnel struggled to control m as y shouted slogans against Punia, Malik and Phogat.

Braving cold conditions, junior wrestlers arrived at Jantar Mantar at 11am and left after three hours with a warning that if government does not lift WFI suspension within 10 days, y will start returning ir awards.

protesters were carrying banners that re: 'UWW (United World Wrestling) save our wrestling from se 3 wrestlers'.

Soon after election of new office-bearers, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) announced hosting of Under-15 and Under-20 Nationals in Gonda, UP but ministry suspended body, leing to cancellation of proposed tournament.

Several wrestlers, who could have competed in junior categories for one last time, lost opportunity.

"It was a symbolic protest. We are giving 10 days' time to government to revoke suspension of new WFI and allow it to hold age group nationals.

"If y don't do it, we will start returning our Arjuna and or awards to government just like Bajrang and Vinesh have done," said Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Rana, who is an Arjuna awardee and a bronze medallist from 2023 Asian Games.

Muzaffarnagar stium coach Preep Kumar said, "More than 90 per cent of Akharas (training centres) in UP are with us in this protest. re are only three wrestlers on one side and lakhs on or. y have spoilt careers of lakhs of wrestlers across country." "se people have no respect for national awards. y are leaving m on ros," Kumar ded, referring to Punia and Phogat returning ir government honours.

"y kept saying that y were protesting for women and junior wrestlers but y have spoilt careers of lakhs after earning all laurels. ir protest is only to get top WFI posts. Once that happens, y will stop all protests," ded Kumar.

Ironically, almost a year back at same protest site, top three wrestlers h managed to draw huge support for ir cause when y called for arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers.

Thousands of people from different sections of society, including farmers' groups, social workers, politicians, women's groups and members of wrestling fraternity, came out to support Sakshi, Vinesh and Bajrang.

three are now facing protests from within ir community, with those assembled at Jantar Mantar accusing m of ruining ir careers.

Since January 2023, national camps and competitions have been on hold as WFI has been suspended twice and an -hoc panel is running sport.

"An entire year for se junior wrestlers has gone waste. new WFI h taken decision for welfare of wrestlers who h not seen even district or state-level competitions, leave aside nationals," said Vivek Malik who belongs to Arya Samaj Akhara in Baghpat.

"But new body was suspended. This body was elected on instructions of court but it wasn't allowed to work and prove itself even for three days. suspension should be lifted and WFI should be allowed to function.

"y h task of completing wrestling calender before December 31, so what wrong did y do to warrant suspension?" he asked.

Those protesting on Wednesday demanded that suspended WFI be restored after disbanding -hoc panel, which has been appointed by sports ministry.

protesters also defaced placards bearing images of Punia, Malik and Phogat before trampling m.

In a memorandum, Sunil Rana, coach Naresh Dahiya, wrestlers Nikki and Varun Gujjar apart from Rajendra 'pehlwan', demanded that " government should listen to not just three wresters but entire fraternity.

"We request that government lifts WFI suspension and take strict action against wrestlers who insulted government honours by leaving ir awards on ro." Punia h returned his Pma Shri while Vinesh h returned her Arjuna and Khel Ratna awards, saying that se awards mean nothing when y are struggling to get justice. PTI AM AT AT AM AM