New Delhi: Dismayed protesting grapplers faced with slugglishness of law and trapped in a political slugfest for demanding justice have labelled the Karnataka election outcome "a curse to the BJP".
Even as they weather Delhi's peak summer with temperature soaring in excess of 40 degree celsius, their strength of will is of no surprise as they have braved some of world's biggest sporting extravaganzas like the Olympics. Having lost the television presence taken over by the Karnataka elections, their resilience have only gained strength and reinforced the demand of convicting BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh.
For the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, however, the unfolding elections results started taking a downturn as the day progressed. Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai speaking to the reporters seemingly conceded defeat in Bengaluru.
In Delhi, at Jantar Mantar, a protesting wrestler spoke to IANS on condition of anonymity and expressed what he thought about the results. He said the central government must "keep their egos aside" and listen to the concerns of the common people.
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"The attitude of the current government is not good for the nation. We have seen what happened to previous governments. How can they ignore Olympic medallists? The BJP ruling government has to rethink before they lose other states and then general elections, which is next year. What is more important for them? People or corrupt leaders? The Karnataka result is the curse of women wrestlers to BJP," he said.
Another protesting wrestler expressed that Singh is free on account of his political connections and the vote bank he brings to the table despite committing "heinous crime".
"We all know what is happening and who is saving him! He has a strong political connection and also a vote bank are the reasons why he is getting VIP treatment. Olympic medallists are sitting here and the government of India is least bothered. What to say? But we will continue to fight till he gets arrested," the wrestler said.
The Delhi Police has interrogated WFI chief Brij Bhushan and federation's assistant secretary Vinod Tomar after two FIR against the former was lodged -- one among them based on the the allegations of a minor -- in the face of continuing protests by the wrestlers. Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat -- the face of wrestlers protest among others have demanded the arrest of Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual harassing women grapplers.
