'Will approach the Prez if needed': Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait assures unwavering support to protesting wrestlers

Haryana's farmers and khaps, community organisations that represent different clans, have been providing support to the wrestlers, and now they need to determine the strategy to be pursued.

Tikait, who persuaded the wrestlers not to discard their medals into the Ganga on Monday, assured them that every effort would be made to address their concerns and allegations.

During a large gathering in Muzaffarnagar today, the national spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union ( BKU ) also said that farmer leaders will approach the President of India if necessary, emphasising their unwavering support and urging the wrestlers not to worry.

During the meeting with the farmers, Rakesh Tikait accused the BJP-led Central government and pointed out how it has caused division within political families. He gave the example of Lalu Yadav's family in Bihar and the situation faced by Mulayam Singh Yadav's family. He then pointed out that a similar situation is unfolding in Rajasthan.

Following a major crackdown by the Delhi Police on their protest, the wrestlers had initially planned to travel to Haridwar on Monday to submerge their medals in the Ganga.

However, they ultimately decided to stop after the intervention of Rakesh Tikait, the leader of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, and khap leaders from Haryana.

Amid the escalating campaign for his arrest over sexual harassment allegations, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a member of Parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Wednesday issued a defiant statement refuting all charges once again.

"If a single allegation against me is proven, I will hang myself. If you (wrestlers) have any evidence, present it to the Court, and I am ready to accept any punishment," he said.

The wrestlers had given a five-day deadline for action against wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

In its first response to the situation, the government warned the wrestlers against taking hasty actions and advised them to await the outcome of the police investigation.

"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 (First Information Report). Until the investigation is complete, do not take any such step which will harm the sport and the players," sports minister Anurag Thakur had said.