Wrestlers protest updates: ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ slogans as farmers reach Jantar Mantar

Associations of mediapersons demanded a probe into the allegations that Delhi Police personnel roughed up journalist Sakshi Joshi covering the wrestlers' protests against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

The ad-hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), on Thursday took charge of the crisis-ridden Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

The Sports Ministry had instructed the IOA to form the ad-hoc committee to oversee the affairs of WFI and conduct elections within 45 days of the panel's formation. The committee was formed last month, PTI reported.

Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday met wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. He said, “Everyone should rise above party politics and support the sportspersons because these players are the pride of our country.”

A day after a scuffle between agitating wrestlers and police personnel, Delhi Police beefed up security and surveillance at Jantar Mantar and at Delhi borders, deploying additional manpower, bolstering CCTV coverage and raising barricades to prevent the entry of farmers who were coming to support the grapplers, reports PTI.

AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai said, "They were abused, manhandled and thrashed. Videos and footage are available in public domain. It was very unfortunate, shameful and painful. The wrestlers who brought laurels for the country are sitting at Jantar Mantar, braving rain and heat." 

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal attacked the BJP over the issue.

The Congress demanded a court-monitored investigation into the allegations levelled by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

With a poster in hand, which read "Justice for the protesting wrestlers...arrest the WFI chief on charges of sexual harassment,  DU student Pooja said, "This fight is not of one fraternity. This fight is for all the women of this country. The WFI chief should be arrested and his arrest will set an example and deter any man from committing such an act," PTI reports.

"After what happened with our wrestlers on Wednesday night, we felt the need to come and extend our support to the daughters of this country who have won medals for India at international platform. What happened yesterday was unfortunate. We have decided that until justice is delivered to them, we will not move from here," said Balbir Singh, a farmer who came from Amritsar, reports PTI.

A large number of people from different walks of life, including farmers from neighbouring states of Delhi and DU students, reached Jantar Mantar on Thursday and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers protesting there demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, PTI reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud refused to entertain an oral plea by the wrestlers' counsel that the ongoing probe against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh be monitored by a retired judge of the apex court or high court.

The apex court, however, granted liberty to the wrestlers to approach the Delhi High Court or the jurisdictional magistrate for further relief.

“Me (Geeta Phogat) and my husband Pawan Saroha have been detained by the Delhi Police (tweet  translated from Hindi),” claimed Olympian wrestler.

“We respect the Supreme Court order, protest will continue," Sakshi Malik said.

"Supreme Court order is not a setback, it did what it could in this matter," she added.

The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the petition filed by three women wrestlers, noting that Delhi Police had filed a FIR against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee backed the aggrieved wrestlers and said “disrobing the honour of our daughters in this manner is utterly shameful.” Here's the full report

Olympian wrestler Geeta Phogat tweeted, “I was also stopped from visiting my siblings at Jantar Mantar. Police is saying that there are only two ways, either go back to your home or go to police station.” Our detailed report here

e, Delhi Police on Thursday claimed no cop was drunk and it has been established through a medical test as women wrestlers claimed that they were pushed and abused by 'drunk' cops during the midnight scuffle. DCP Pranav Tayal said after the medical examination no alcohol was found. Read more

“Police have detained around 15 people...farmers union leader Abhimanyu Kohar was coming from Sonipat to Delhi to support the wrestlers,” Delhi Police said, reported by ANI.

Following the late-night drama, wrestlers called on citizens, particularly farmers and their leaders, to gather at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Read our report

Wrestlers intended to bring foldable cots for sleeping at the protest site during the night on Wednesday, as rain struck the national capital. For this, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti delivered foldable cots in a truck.

While Delhi Police say a group of demonstrators led by Somnath Bharti attempted to break through the barricades and were prevented by  them.

A scuffle broke out between Delhi Police and protesting wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on late-night on Wednesday. The wrestlers alleged that they were manhandled by the police personnel. All you need to know