None of the protesting wrestlers had anticipated that outcome Thursday morning, expressing their faith in the justice system during several media interactions after the government-appointed oversight committee refused to release the report’s findings against Singh and the Delhi Police delay in filing the FIR when one of the seven complainants was a minor.
Wrestlers Protest: Live Updates
After the unsavory episode where two protesters were injured following a confrontation between the agitated wrestlers and the Delhi police, the general opinion was that the higher court could consider the whole situation sympathetically. However, the CJI-led two-judge SC bench strictly adhered to the rules and took note of the fact that FIR had been registered by the Delhi Police against Singh, which was the wrestlers’ main prayer.
The wrestlers, nonetheless, vowed to continue their sit-in at Jantar Mantar to press for their demands for Singh’s arrest.
“We respect the judgment of the SC and we will comply with its directive. Their lawyer told the court that two victims have not yet registered their statements under article 161 of the CrPC. We want the statements of the victims to be also registered under Section 164. If things don’t move fast enough we have all options open SC has asked us to go to magistrate or Delhi High Court if we are not satisfied with the pace of the investigation. We also have the option of returning to the SC if we are not satisfied with the Delhi Police investigation. So we have all options open. The protest will continue. We will not leave the site”, Vinesh Phogat said.
Sakshee Malikkh said: “We know that the court cannot ask the police to arrest anyone without an investigation. Victims must register their complaints first. That is why we are not disappointed with the SC “He did his job. He did the FIR, and now the investigation must begin. The moot point is that the dharna will continue no matter what.”
The wrestlers have also offered to return their medals won nationally and internationally, as well as various government honours, in protest against alleged Delhi police atrocities against them after a fight broke out with the wrestlers when they attempted to bring extra mattresses and wood. benches on site.
“If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? It wasn’t just me. Vinesh and Sakshee were also sitting there. We are the winners Padma Shri, Khel Ratna and Arjuna. We have so many done for the country and look what we got in return – police brutality,” said Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang.
Vinesh, who received Khel Ratna in 2020, added, “Take them (medals) all away. We have been so humiliated. We fight for our respect but we are crushed under their feet. Do all men have the right to abuse women? We will return our medals and government honors. We are willing to sacrifice our lives, but please do us justice.
Bajrang, understanding that their protest is becoming political with each passing day, called on politicians to stop hijacking their movement. “We have never asked people to use this platform for politics. Anyone who wants to support us is welcome, but we don’t want the support of any particular political party, nor do we want that politicians are hijacking our protest. We will also speak to khap panchayats, student unions, labor organizations and agricultural organizations in this regard.”
On Thursday, politicians such as Bhupinder Singh Hooda, his son Deepender Singh Hooda, Jayant Chaudhary and Chandra Shekhar Azad, as well as peasant leader Rakesh Tikait came to meet the wrestlers.
