Wrestlers' Protest: Arrest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by June 9 or face agitation - Khap Panchayat tells Centre

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Wrestlers' Protest: The Khap Mahapanchayat on Friday (June 2) announced its decision over the ongoing wrestlers' protest over the sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief and Khap leader Rakesh Tikait after Khap Panchayat's meeting in Kurukshetra in Haryana gave an ultimatum to the Central Government to order the arrest of the WFI chief till June 9 or they will join the wrestlers for another round of protest at Jantar Mantar.

"We are giving the government time till June 9 to start discussion on the matter. After June 9, demonstrations and panchayats will be held across the country in support of these daughters (women wrestlers)," farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said.

Earlier on Thursday (June 1), farmer's leader Naresh Tikait - son of Rakesh Tikait - urged the protesting wrestlers to auction the medals they won at various international events.

The first phase of Khap Mahapanchayat was held in Soram village in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh on June 1. Tikait - the head of Balyan Khap in Haryana - continued offering his support to the wrestlers.

"I told them don't immerse the medals in the Ganga and put them up for auction. The entire world will come forward and ask you to stop the auction," Naresh Tikait said at the gathering.

Addressing the mega gathering in the western UP district, senior BKU leader Naresh Tikait said, "A Khap representative will meet the President and the government. Khap and these women (protesting wrestlers) won't be defeated. More decisions will be taken at Kurukshetra tomorrow."

Speaking on why the farmers and khaps are extending support to the protesting wrestlers, Tikait said, "It is good if the family is big. "...You should understand what the Central government is doing. They broke Lalu Yadav's family in Bihar. See what they did with Mulayam Singh Yadav's family. The same thing is happening in Rajasthan."

The protesting wrestlers - Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with others - have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan after sexual harassment charges against the BJP leader.