Wrestlers’ stir gets political heft as more Opposition leaders extend support

Political support for the ongoing protest by wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh widened on April 28, with several Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, expressing solidarity with their cause.

Former Haryana Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh had met the protesters at the Jantar Mantar on April 25. His son, Deepender Hooda, followed suit on April 28. Mr. Deepender hit out at Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha for “failing” to get justice for the wrestlers.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat with Rajasthan University Students Union President Nirmal Choudhary during their sitting on a dharna against the Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on April 28, 2023. (Source: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar)