'They have spoilt the careers of lakhs': Junior wrestlers protest against Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat

The crisis in Indian wrestling took a fresh turn on Wednesday when hundreds of junior wrestlers from different parts of the country congregated at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest against the loss of time of their careers. The grapplers blamed Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat squarely for their situation.Travelling by buses, the junior wrestlers arrived from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. Nearly 300 came from Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat while many others came from the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela. Caught unawares, the police struggled to control them as they shouted slogans against Punia, Malik and Phogat.Braving cold conditions, the wrestlers arrived at at 11 AM and left after three hours with a warning that if the government does not lift the WFI suspension within 10 days, they will start returning their awards.The protesters carried banners that read: 'UWW save our wrestling from these 3 wrestlers'.Another banner read: 'Kar Diya Desh Ki Kushti Ko Barbaad: Sakshi Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat'.Timeline: A look at everything that has happened since WFI electionsThe protesters also defaced the placards bearing images of Punia, Malik and Phogat before trampling them.The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in its newly-elected form currently stands suspended. Before being suspended by the Sports Ministry, WFI office-bearers had announced U-15 and U-20 nationals in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. But they were called off after WFI's suspension.It robbed several wrestlers, who could have competed in the junior categories for one last time, of an opportunity.[caption id="attachment_13571932" align="alignnone" width="640"]

Wrestlers hold placards during a protest against wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi. PTI[/caption]"It was a symbolic protest. We are giving 10 days time to the government to revoke the suspension of the new WFI and allow it to hold age group nationals."If they don't do it, we will start returning our Arjuna and other awards to the government just like Bajrang and Vinesh have done," said Greco-Roman wrestler Sunil Rana, who is an Arjuna awardee and a bronze medallist from the 2023 Asian Games.Muzaffarnagar stadium coach Pradeep Kumar said, "More than 90 per cent of Akharas (training centres) in UP are with us in this protest. There are only three wrestlers on one side and lakhs on the other. They have spoilt the careers of lakhs of wrestlers across the country.""These people have no respect for national awards. They are leaving them on the roads," Kumar added, referring to Punia and Phogat returning their government honours."They kept saying that they were protesting for women and junior wrestlers but they have spoilt careers of lakhs after earning all the laurels. Their protest is only to get top WFI posts. Once that happens, they will stop all protests."Read | Sakshi Malik says her mother is getting threat callsIncidentally, almost a year back at the same protest site, the top three wrestlers had drawn huge support for their cause when they called for the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers.Thousands of people, including farmers groups, social workers, politicians, women's groups and members of the wrestling fraternity, came out to support Malik, Phogat and Punia.The three are now facing protest by those within their own faction, accusing them of ruining their careers."I have given 18-20 years to the sport. Only I know what I have gone through. A lot of wrong things are being said on social media. I have come to know about this protest from you (media). This is Brij Bhushan's (Sharan Singh) propaganda. These are all his men who are protesting at Jantar Mantar," said Sakshi when responding to the protest.Meanwhile, Bajrang said he "won't lend any credence" to the Wednesday's protest by commenting on it.Source close to Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang said, "These are all Brij Bhushan's supporters. Where were they when we were sitting on protest. They did not think about wrestling then?"Since January last year, national camps and competitions have been on hold as the WFI has been suspended twice and an ad-hoc panel is running the sport.Read | Indian wrestlers approach UWW for lifting WFI's suspension"An entire year for these junior wrestlers has gone waste. The new WFI had taken the decision for the welfare of the wrestlers who had not seen even district or state level competitions, leave aside the nationals," said Vivek Malik who belongs to the Arya Samaj Akhara."But the new body was suspended. This body was elected on the instructions of the court but it wasn't allowed to work and prove itself even for three days. The suspension should be lifted and the WFI should be allowed to function."They had the task of completing the wrestling calendar before December 31, so what wrong did they do to warrant the suspension?" he asked.The junior wrestlers and others protesting at Jantar Mantar demanded that the suspended WFI be restored while disbanding the ad-hoc panel.In a memorandum, Sunil Rana, coach Naresh Dahiya, wrestlers Nikki and Varun Gujjar apart from Rajendra 'pehlwan', demanded that "the government should listen to not just the three wrestlers but the entire fraternity."We request that the government lifts WFI suspension and take strict action against the wrestlers who insulted the government honours by leaving their awards on the road." Punia had returned his Padma Shri while Vinesh had returned her Arjuna and Khel Ratna awards, saying that these awards mean nothing when they are struggling to get justice.The ad-hoc panel announced that it will organise U-15 and U-20 Nationals within six weeks in Gwalior and advised the protesting wrestlers to continue training.(with inputs from PTI)