To mark a month of wrestlers’ protest, candlelight vigil at India Gate

On a windy May 23, marking a month of wrestlers’ agitation against MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, people from all walks of life including khap members, farmers, and students, joined wrestlers in a candlelight march from Jantar Mantar to India Gate.

On a windy May 23, marking a month of wrestlers’ agitation against MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, people from all walks of life including khap members, farmers, and students, joined wrestlers in a candlelight march from Jantar Mantar to India Gate.

Mr. Singh is accused of sexually harassing athletes.

“On [May] 28th, when the Parliament building is inaugurated, we need support from women... you are our backbone,” wrestler Vinesh Phogat said as she lit a candle, standing beside fellow wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many others.

Olympian Punia, who too held a candle said, “The khap mahapanchayat has decided to hold a panchayat in front of the new Parliament building on May 28, when it is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We want more women to stand in support with us, this is a fight for India’s daughters.”

“Every girl, who was once oppressed and harassed, will feel empowered today, as more women are now standing up against what is wrong,” Ms. Phogat said.

Holding two candles amid the massive crowd, 15-year-old Prem, a wrester and student from Gurugram in Haryana, said he boarded a bus along with his wrestler friends to Jantar Mantar to mark his presence at the candlelight march. He and his friends said, “It’s been a month, our sisters have fought for endless nights. If he is not punished, we will continue to protest.”

Since April 23, India’s top wrestlers Ms. Malik, Ms. Phogat, Mr. Punia and many others, along with farmers, have been demanding the arrest of Mr. Singh.