NEW DELHI: India's top wrestlers have threatened to hurl their medals into the river Ganges on Tuesday as they demand the arrest of the head of the Wrestling Federation of India over sexual harassment allegations.
The wrestlers had been camping in New Delhi since April 23 demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has denied any wrongdoing.
Singh, a member of parliament for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Several of the protesting wrestlers were briefly detained by Delhi Police on Sunday and their camp site was cleared after they tried to move towards India's new parliament building.
Singh has been stripped of his administrative powers but the wrestlers are seeking his arrest over allegations of sexual harassment against female wrestlers.
Wrestlers including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia issued a joint statement on Tuesday spelling out their next step in the north Indian town of Haridwar.
"For us, our medals are sacred, and so is the river Ganges," they said in a statement in Hindi.
"This holy river is the perfect custodian of our medals, not the system that shields the offender."
The athletes said that after throwing their medals into the river they would return to New Delhi to begin a hunger strike at the India Gate war memorial.
Reuters
Tue May 30 2023
Indian wrestlers, from right, Bajrang Punia, Sangita Phogat and Vinesh Phogat talk to each other ahead of their protest march towards the newly inaugurated parliament, in New Delhi, India. - REUTERS
Reflections from London: Shaping bilateral ties with a more active UK
Over the past five years, there have been notable developments in the United Kingdom's approach to the Asia-Pacific region.
Meta drops fact checkers in US, what does this mean for the world?
Fact-checking organisations said the move could encourage hate speech online and fuel violence offline.
Trump's inauguration marks new era for cryptocurrency
The crypto industry hopes the incoming Donald Trump administration will mark a shift in policy.
China's Lunar New Year travel rush: World's biggest annual migration
This year's travel rush comes as China extended the official Spring Festival break by one day to eight days.
Experts warn against children snoring during sleep
Some may think that snoring is a common occurrence during sleep and does not require treatment.
Younger workers more likely to suffer burnout as generation gap grows
There's a need to rebuild bridges and open up conversations on changing attitudes and expectations around work, says Brian Dow.
INSIGHT - How bond vigilantes could check Trump's power
As Donald Trump takes office on January 20, concerns over bond vigilantes in the US have resurfaced, according to several market experts.
Trump look-alike sings to sell pudding in Pakistan
A food vendor who locals say bears an uncanny resemblance to US President-elect Donald Trump gets more business and attention than others.
Tokyo museum offers visitors 'flashback' to defunct technology
From Betacam videotapes to floppy disks and vintage Sony devices, the museum is a showcase for old cameras and telecom equipment.
Australian scientists discover bigger species of deadly funnel web spiders
Sscientists say, the "Big Boy" would be classified as a separate species of funnel-web spider.
Biden or Trump can still rescue TikTok; here's how
So how could Trump or Biden prevent TikTok from going dark?
Africa's youth protests: A storm brewing for 2025?
Africa sees a wave of youth-led protests fuelled by frustrations over rampant corruption, poor governance, high living costs, unemployment.
Rocking the cradle: Embracing pregnancy after 40
Age is no longer a barrier for Malaysian women to embrace motherhood, thanks to advancements in fertility treatments.
The big DC mystery: Where will Trump and his circle hang out?
For four years, the bar at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington was the place to be seen for Donald Trump's circle of allies.
Thai resort island Phuket grapples with growing garbage crisis
By the end of year, the island could be producing up to 1,400 tonnes of trash a day, overwhelming its sole landfill, deputy mayor says.
Analysis - Biden to hand unfinished agenda to Trump for chaotic Mideast
Joe Biden's record on the world stage is likely to be heavily defined by his handling of the 15-month war in Gaza.
Biden administration will not enforce TikTok ban, says White House official
This leaves the incoming Donald Trump administration to make the decision, according to a White House official.
Hamas set to release first hostages under Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel says
If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza, killed over 46,000 people.
Pakistan's Imran Khan handed 14 years jail term in land graft case
Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi was also found guilty and sentenced to seven years in prison.
'It starts now': South Korea's President Yoon defiant as police closed in
Yoon Suk-Yeol remains in detention and is refusing to talk to investigators.