Delhi, May 6: The umbrella organisation of farmers, the SKM on Sunday, May 7 demanded a nation-wide agitation program in support of women wrestlers who have been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since April 23, 2023, after the union government failed to fulfil its promise to the sportspersons given in January 2023 to independently investigate and take necessary steps against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, against whom very serious allegations of sexual harassment have been made by the women sportspersons, including a minor.
Following the announcement, on May 7, several senior leaders of SKM from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of farmers, again visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend fullest support to the wrestlers. SKM Leaders also resolved to lead its deputation to important administrative and political authorities like Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Union Sports Minister, Home Minster etc. and demand immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.
The agitation programme will be held at an all-India level from May 11 to May 18. This protest will take place in all states of India, at state capitals, district headquarters and taluka headquarters to show complete national support. Both public meetings and protest marches will also be held and an effigy of Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and his supporter, the BJP-led union government will also be burned.
SKM has strongly condemned the inaction of the Delhi Police, its overall insensitivity to the alleged crime especially its failure to act as per settled law to arrest the accused and ensure in-camera proceedings. SKM has also further questioned and criticised the Delhi police’s denial of basic civil rights of the protesting sportspersons (who are the pride of the nation) have been subject to. This includes a denial of access to water, electricity, protection, bedding etc.
The national meeting of the SKM held on April 30, 2023 had firmly and unequivocally expressed support to and solidarity with the protesting women wrestlers of India and demanded immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.
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