Security beefed up at Jantar Mantar ahead of farmers' protest to back wrestlers

Security has been beefed up at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced that it will hold nationwide protests including in Delhi in support of wrestlers, who are on a strike against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.

"The protesting wrestlers have our full support. We will decide today on future course of action. Arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh must be done when FIR has been registered," PTI quoted farmer leader Rakesh Tikait as saying.

The SKM announced that leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of farmers, will hold nationwide protests to extend the fullest support to the protesting wrestlers. The outfit also demanded the immediate arrest of the WFI president.

According to reports, SKM leaders are also expected to lead a delegation to the Delhi Police Commissioner, Union sports minister and Union home minister, demanding Brij Bhushan Singh's arrest

Additional deployment will be made, especially in the bordering areas, and patrolling enhanced, the police said.

Top wrestlers of the country, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar since April 23, demanding the sacking of Brij Bhushan as WFI chief and his arrest in view of sexual harassment allegations made by several women grapplers.

Vinesh Phogat urged the supporters to be peaceful on Sunday so that bad elements do not hijack the protest.

"Tomorrow, a lot of people are expected to join us from villages... khap panchayats, kisan and mazdoor unions, student organisations to support us. We appeal to everyone to be peaceful. Our success depends on a peaceful demonstration. We also request all who will come tomorrow to cooperate with authorities and police," said the Asian Games gold medallist. She also urged the Delhi Police to not halt the supporters.

The protesters have demanded that the government makes public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment charges against Singh. On April 28, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with the allegations. However, the WFI chief has not been served a notice yet as per the available information.