Aman Verma, Mukesh Sharma, Panipat / RewariOne hour ago
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Home Minister Amit Shah, MP Brij Bhushan and wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat.
Information related to the meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and wrestlers agitating for the arrest of former WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh has started surfacing. Everyone was surprised by this sudden meeting. In fact, the ground for this meeting was prepared by two prominent MPs from UP itself. Both these MPs belong to the Jat community and most of the protesting wrestlers are also Jats.
Wrestlers are looking a bit soft since 2-3 days. At the same time, the investigation of Delhi Police has increased. Brij Bhushan Singh is silent and till now the BJP stand completely standing with Brij Bhushan seems to be changing. The script of all these things was written in the meeting with Shah. Let us understand the inside story related to this meeting in a systematic way…
Shah had to hold the meeting for these 6 reasons
1. Matter directly related to PM
The manner in which the Delhi Police dealt with the wrestlers on the day of the inauguration of the new Parliament House on May 28, did not send a good message to the central government and the BJP all over the world. Since the inauguration of the Parliament House was done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the coercion with the wrestlers was seen to be linked directly to him somewhere.
After coercion with the wrestlers, the atmosphere started changing even after many big people came in their favor. The Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup supported the wrestlers.
Pictures of action taken by Delhi Police on wrestlers.
2. Announcement of shedding medal of wrestlers in Ganga
The wrestlers from Delhi returned to Haryana on 29 May saying that their agitation was not over. Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang announced on May 30, the very next day after returning to Delhi, that they would throw all their medals in the river Ganges. It was a very emotional move.
On the evening of 30 May itself, all the three wrestlers reached Haridwar along with their companions and family. The scene of all three crying at Har Ki Pauri was touching. Khap leader Naresh Tikait, who reached Haridwar in the evening of the same day, asked the wrestlers to persuade them not to shed their medals, asking for 5 days time. This is where the pressure started building on the government.
Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat and Bajrang Punia reached the Ganges on the pretext of medals.
3. Facts of FIR came to the fore
Those defending Brijbhushan Singh in this controversy were arguing from the beginning that the wrestler was not able to provide evidence to the police regarding sexual abuse. On May 30, both the FIRs registered against Brij Bhushan came to the fore, in which many serious allegations were made. Questions were also raised directly on the PMO. Because it was written in the FIR that the PMO was informed about this long back. Due to this, the defenders of Brijbhushan were forced to go on the backfoot. The pressure on the Delhi Police to speed up the investigation also increased.
4. There is a possibility of hijacking the movement in Muzaffarnagar Mahapanchayat
Naresh Tikait, who reached Haridwar, had told the wrestlers that in 5 days Khap Panchayats and farmers’ organizations will take a big decision. Tikait called a big meeting of Khap leaders from Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Delhi in Muzaffarnagar on 1 June. The government was apprehensive that the movement of wrestlers could be hijacked.
People associated with Naresh Tikait’s office claim that during this mahapanchayat itself, when calls started coming from big leaders from the center, they bluntly said that the wrestlers should be talked to on this issue directly. After the Muzaffarnagar mahapanchayat due to the response received from the center, Rakesh Tikait said that the information about the decisions taken here will be given in the mahapanchayat to be held in Kurukshetra on June 2.
5. Worldwide outrage over UWW’s warning
It was only on 30 May that the World Wrestling Federation (UWW) swung into action, condemning the Delhi Police’s treatment of Indian wrestlers and said it would meet the protesting wrestlers to take stock of their situation. Also gave an ultimatum to suspend India’s membership for not holding the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections in 45 days. Due to this, India was embarrassed all over the world.
Dissent within the BJP as well
In the midst of this whole controversy, two types of opinion were being formed within the BJP as well. One side was with Brij Bhushan while the other side believed that it was not in the interest of the party not to investigate serious allegations like sexual exploitation. The party should think seriously on the issues that the wrestlers are raising while looking fair.
Know, how the deadlock was broken…
Balian-Satyapal prepared the meeting ground
After June 1, there was an initiative from the BJP and BJP MP from Muzaffarnagar in UP and Union Minister Dr. Sanjeev Balyan spoke directly to the wrestlers for the first time. Balyan assures Vinesh, Bajrang and Sakshi that they will be arranged to meet a top leader of the Centre. According to media reports, BJP MP from Baghpat Satyapal Singh also played the role of a mediator in this. Satyapal Singh has been the Police Commissioner of Mumbai and resigned from the job before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and joined the BJP.
The way opened from the meeting in Kerala House
After getting positive response from the wrestlers, Sanjeev Balyan and Satyapal Singh informed the central leaders of BJP. After this further dialogue was started with the wrestlers. According to a Khap representative from Haryana, the first meeting between the wrestlers and the central government mediators took place at Kerala House, adjacent to Jantar Mantar. It was from here that the way for Amit Shah’s meeting with the wrestlers opened.
However, prior to the meeting with Shah, independent Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana Kartikeya Sharma, Independent MLA from Charkhi-Dadri Sombir Sangwan and the level of governor of a BJP-ruled state were also contacted with wrestlers. Sombir Sangwan is the same leader who defeated BJP leader and Vinesh’s cousin Babita Phogat in the 2019 elections.
Finally, on June 4, Bajrang, Vinesh and Sakshi Malik reached Home Minister Amit Shah’s house. There was no third party present in the meeting which lasted for 2 hours. During this, the wrestlers openly kept their point in front of Shah.
What happened after the meeting with Shah?
Brij Bhushan asked to keep quiet, Ayodhya rally canceled
Brij Bhushan was increasing the controversy from the beginning by making extravagant statements. After the meeting at Shah’s house, Brij Bhushan was asked to keep quiet. Due to pressure from the BJP leadership, Brij Bhushan canceled his Ayodhya rally on 2 June. Brij Bhushan Singh was going to show his strength in this rally to be held on 5th June. However, the official reason for canceling the rally was said to be non-receipt of NOC from the police.
Delhi Police arrived to interrogate Brij Bhushan’s staff
On June 5, the Delhi Police team reached Brij Bhushan’s house. The police first recorded the statements of people working at Brij Bhushan’s house in Lucknow and then in Gonda. These included his driver, servant and other employees. The police returned from there with some documents.
wrestlers joined duty
On June 6, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik joined their respective duties. All these three wrestlers work in the railways. However, all three said that they have returned to the job to fulfill their responsibility and their fight for justice will continue.
June 9 program at Jantar Mantar canceled
Wrestlers and Khap leaders had said after the mahapanchayat held in Kurukshetra on June 2 that if action was not taken on Brij Bhushan, they would again start protesting at Jantar Mantar from June 9. After the wrestlers joined duty, the farmer unions canceled the program saying that it would be decided afresh after holding talks with the wrestlers.
Sports Minister holds meeting with wrestlers
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had a meeting with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. In which it was decided that by June 15, the charge sheet against Brij Bhushan would be investigated and presented in the court. Till then the wrestlers will not perform any demonstration. WFI elections will be held by June 30. In WFI, an internal complaint committee will be headed by a woman president.