02-06-2023 : In Kurukshetra, Haryana, farmers, and Khap panchayat representatives came to show support for the wrestlers staging a protest in Delhi. They made a decision as a group and unanimously demanded that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), be taken into custody right away. Singh is charged with harassing female wrestlers in a sexual manner. The government is to be ready for a larger protest if Singh is not taken into custody by June 9 according to the ultimatum.
The ‘mahapanchayat’ in Kurukshetra brought together Khap panchayats from Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, who aimed to seek justice for the aggrieved wrestlers. A similar ‘mahapanchayat’ was held in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, where it was decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to appeal for justice.
Addressing the massive gathering, Rakesh Tikait, a leader of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), warned the Central government of the consequences if no action is taken against Brij Bhushan by June 9. Tikait declared that if the government fails to address the grievances of the wrestlers and arrest Singh, they would join the wrestlers in a protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on June 9 and hold panchayats across the country.
Tikait also cautioned the government that if they are denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar on June 9, it would result in an announcement of further agitation. Furthermore, he demanded the withdrawal of cases against the wrestlers who were manhandled and detained during their march towards the new Parliament building.
Tikait emphasised that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s arrest was a non-negotiable demand, and that if the government did not comply, protesters would march to Jantar Mantar and convene panchayats all over the country. Another important demand made to ensure the wrestlers received justice was the dismissal of the cases brought against them.
The Haryana ‘Mahapanchayat”s ultimatum increases the pressure on the government to move quickly against Singh and solve the grievances of the protesting wrestlers. The way the government reacts and the protesters’ plan of action will be decided in the days to come.