Wrestlers' concerns need to be addressed in a respectful manner: Haryana minister Anil Vij

GURGAON: Haryana home minister Anil Vij has backed protesting wrestlers. Talking to TOI on Saturday, he said the concerns of the wrestlers should be addressed "in a respectful manner", adding he was willing "to mediate on their behalf". "I have been sports minister and I fully support the players. If I am required to mediate and talk to higher authorities in the government, I will do it," the senior state BJP leader said.
Vij's is the first public voice of support from Haryana's ruling regime for the protesting wrestlers led by Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who are all from the state.They have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23 against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they accuse of molesting women wrestlers.
Punia, Phogat and Malik are recipients of the country's highest sporting honours - Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna award. Malik and Punia have also received the Padma Shri.
On April 28, the Haryana government had sent show-cause notices to wrestlers who got jobs in departments such as police and railways through the sports quota, asking them to explain their absence from work in January, when the protest against the WFI president first began.
"You are directed to explain your absence along with proof. Failing to submit the documents will result in the department submitting a one-sided report against you to senior officials," read a notice sent to those with police department jobs.
BJP MP from Sirsa Sunita Duggal also backed the wrestlers but with a word of caution on efforts by opposition parties to "politicise the issue". "Regardless of whether the wrestlers are from Haryana or elsewhere, I support them," she said on Saturday.
"And while I support them, they should not let opposition parties mislead them," she added.
BJP parliamentary board member and former Gurgaon MP Sudha Yadav said that she "was concerned about the wrestlers, especially the women wrestlers who have been protesting for the past few days". "I hope the Delhi Police expedites its investigation," she said.
Describing the wrestlers as the "pride of the nation", BJP MP from Rohtak Arvind Sharma echoed Sudha. "I hope the investigation by the Delhi Police is wrapped up soon, so that the wrestlers can go home," he said.
Haryana deputy chief minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala urged the wrestlers to call off their protest and "have faith in the system".
"My view is that there should be a fair investigation. The wrestlers should call off their protest and have faith that they will get justice," he said.