THE ongoing crisis in Indian wrestling took a new twist on Wednesday when hundreds of junior wrestlers assembled at Jantar Mantar for a symbolic three-hour protest against the loss of one crucial year of their careers, a situation for which they blamed top grapplers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat. Loaded in buses, the junior wrestlers arrived from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi, catching the police unawares. Close to 300 of them came from Arya Samaj Akhara in Chhaprauli, Baghpat while many others came from the Virender Wrestling Academy in Narela.

 

The security personnel struggled to control them as they shouted slogans against Punia, Malik and Phogat. Braving cold conditions, the junior wrestlers arrived at Jantar Mantar at 11 am and left after three hours with a warning that if the Government does not lift the WFI suspension within10days, theywill start returning their awards. The protesters were carrying banners that read: ‘UWW (United World Wrestling)saveourwrestling from these 3 wrestlers’. Soon after the election of new office-bearers, the WrestlingFederationofIndia (WFI) announced the hosting of the Under-15 and Under-20 Nationals in Gonda, UP but the ministry suspended the body,leading to the cancellation of the proposed tournament. Several wrestlers, who could have competed in the junior categories forone last time, lost the opportunity. “It was a symbolic protest.

 

We are giving 10 days’ time tothe Governmenttorevoke 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 (trainingcentres)in UParewithusinthisprotest. Thereareonlythreewrestlers 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. Theyare leaving the monthe roads,” Kumar added, referring to Punia and Phogat returning their Government honours.