In a stunning twist of events, the illustrious warriors Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik Kadian, and Vinesh Phogat, once hailed as titans of the wrestling arena, have been ensnared in a tempest of controversy. Their audacious Wrestlers Protest against the government and sporting authorities has unleashed a cataclysmic wave, plunging them into the depths of disgrace. Formerly adorned with glory and revered as sporting paragons, they now stand as fallen soldiers in the ranks of opposition parties, condemned by the piercing arrows of public censure and eroded trust.
Let’s delve into the reasons as to why the protesting wrestlers, once revered as champions who brought glory to the nation, are now a laughing stock throughout the nation, with very few takers.
The charade at Haridwar
The Wrestlers Protest, birthed from lofty aspirations to expose perceived inequities within the wrestling fraternity, has swiftly devolved into a masquerade, casting an ominous shadow over their once hallowed reputations. Transitioning their demonstration from the venerable grounds of Jantar Mantar to the sacred shores of the revered River Ganga, their conduct has descended into a pitiable spectacle of desperation and shameless attention-seeking. The gravity of their actions cannot be understated, for they risk forever tarnishing the very essence of their illustrious legacies.
To be brutally honest, the wrestlers’ audacious ultimatum to discard their painstakingly earned medals and embark on a perilous hunger strike until death is appearing less as a noble quest for justice and more as a pathetic bid for attention. The cacophony of their pleas reached a crescendo as the medals were surrendered into the hands of Naresh Tikait, brother of the infamous agitator Rakesh Tikait, who shamelessly veiled his intentions with menacing undertones, issuing thinly veiled threats to the government. Such actions, drenched in desperation and brazen manipulation, paint a grim picture of their true motives, casting a dark cloud over their once-respected personas.
In the realm of democratic rights, the wrestlers in question have transformed into “rebels without a cause.” Though promises of legal action against the implicated authorities were made, their impatience and unwavering pursuit of a single individual’s imprisonment have come at a great cost. Even with the Supreme Court’s endorsement of an FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the Indian Olympic Association’s recommendation to dissolve the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and hold new elections, the wrestlers’ unyielding determination appears misguided and lacking in sound judgment.
No takers for Andolanjeevis
The scenario veered into the realm of politics as the Congress party sought to manipulate the wrestlers’ predicament to portray Prime Minister Modi as a despotic figure. In their bid to discredit the government, they carelessly mischaracterized Sakshi Malik as an Olympic gold medalist, thereby compromising the very essence and credibility of the Wrestlers Protest.
If you are not aware, let me bring to your attention the fact that amidst this turmoil, the public’s patience wears thin. Local authorities in Haridwar have voiced their dissent, adamantly stating that the sacred River Ganga and its tranquil banks should not be transformed into a mere arena for political maneuvering. Even fellow sportsmen, purportedly in solidarity with the wrestlers, have opted for a more diplomatic stance, emphasizing the significance of upholding the rule of law. This sentiment resonates with the heartfelt concerns of the common Indian, who seeks a harmonious resolution rather than the escalation of turmoil.
To make matters worse, some other facts are coming to light, which makes this case even murkier. The family of one of the minor girls, who is at the center of the accusations against Brij Bhushan, has now leveled serious allegations against the wrestlers! As per the girl’s uncle, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and others have conspired solely for their own personal gains.
Also read: You saw the tears of Sakshi Malik, but not the heckling of PT Usha and other sporting legends
On the same trajectory as Sushil Kumar?
The tragic downfall of Sushil Kumar, who was once hailed as a national hero, stands as a stark warning. His transformation into a hooligan, ultimately culminating in the heartbreaking murder of fellow wrestler Sagar, has robbed him of the honor and admiration he once commanded. Although the wrestlers involved in the protest have not engaged in such despicable acts, their current trajectory is veering dangerously close to a treacherous path, one that may prove difficult to navigate back from.
In a twist of fate, the noble quest for justice, which once ignited their spirits, has now sadly been overshadowed by their desperate theatrics. Instead of kindling the flames of transformation and heralding a dawn of reform in the wrestling community, their actions have inadvertently sown seeds of doubt and disillusionment among the hearts of the people.
The true essence of their cause, once brimming with hope, now yearns for a rekindling, for it is only through genuine and heartfelt endeavours that they can restore faith in their mission and leave an indelible mark on the sands of time and as the media largely ignores this, the public’s weariness suggests that their faith in this display of dissent is waning. It is crucial for the wrestlers to reassess their approach, align themselves with legal processes, and seek genuine dialogue for the resolution of their grievances. Only then can they hope to restore their tarnished reputations and salvage what remains of their once-shining legacies.
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