Wrestlers vs WFI chief: After UP, now farmers to hold khap mahapanchayat in Haryana's Kurukshetra

After Uttar Pradesh, farmer leaders will hold a mahapanchayat in Haryana's Kurukshetra to take a collective decision on the ongoing wrestlers' protest. The wrestlers have been demanding action against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they accused of sexually harassing seven grapplers.

The farmers and the khaps of Haryana have been extending support to the wrestlers who have accused the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh of sexually harassing them

A khap mahapanchayat to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be held in Haryana's Kurukshetra at 11 am on Friday to chalk out a strategy on the issue.

A khap mahapanchayat will be held at Jaat Dharmshala in Kurukshetra today in which a collective and unanimous decision on the future strategy of wrestlers' protest will be taken, sources said.

This comes a day after khap mahapanchayat was held in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar in which it was decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek justice for the wrestlers demanding action against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually abusing female grapplers.

India Today has accessed the copy of the FIRs filed against Brij Bhushan Singh. According to the two FIRs, the WFI chief has been accused of demanding sexual favours. Further, at least 10 complaints of molestation have also been registered against him.

"We will go to the President of India if need beâ€æ We are with you, you don't have to worry," farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said.

"Representatives of the khaps will meet the president and the government in support of the wrestlers and the fight will continue till they get justice," he pointed out.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday said it had sent a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking issuance of directions to allow women wrestlers to continue their protest at the Jantar Mantar, news agency PTI reported.

WRESTLERS STOPPED FROM IMMERSING THEIR MEDALS

The wrestlers on Monday headed for Haridwar determined to immerse their medals in river Ganga a day after Delhi Police launched a massive crackdown amid their march to the new Parliament building. The police detained a few wrestlers on Sunday and also cleared the protest site at Jantar Mantar.

But they held back finally after the intervention of Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Naresh Tikait, who heads the Bhartiya Kisan Union, and khap leaders from Haryana. He and other farmer leaders managed to dissuade some of India's top wrestlers from throwing their medals in river Ganga.

The wrestlers launched a fresh sit-in protest in April against the WFI chief. They have been demanding police action against him and want the government to strip him of his portfolios.

The Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty.

The farmers and the khaps of Haryana have been extending support to the wrestlers and what remains to be decided is the strategy to pursue. A final decision on the issue of the ongoing wrestlers' protest will be taken today at a mega meeting in Haryana.

The SKM has also called for nationwide demonstrations on June 1 in support of wrestlers who have been demanding the arrest of the WFI chief.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has repeatedly denied all charges against him, said on Wednesday that he would hang himself if a single allegation is proved against him.

"I'll ask the athletes to wait for the conclusion of Delhi Police's investigation. The Delhi Police has informed the Supreme Court and filed an FIR. Until the investigation is complete, do not take any such step which will harm the sport and the players," sports minister Anurag Thakur said.