The farmers protest at the Shambhu border which entered its 200th day on Saturday was joined by Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
The farmers have been protesting for months seeking legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. The protesters first camped at Shambu border on February 13 when their march to Delhi was blocked by police. The agitation has also spread to other areas like Ratanpura and Khanauri borders.
Phogat, 30, who has been a vocal advocate for farmers' demands, said, "It is painful that they are protesting here for 200 days. These farmers are also citizens of this nation. Nothing is possible without them, not even athletes. If they don't feed us, we can't compete."
"We are helpless, we represent the country at high levels but we can't do anything for our family. I urge the government to listen to us. They had admitted their mistake last time, they should fulfill their promises," she added.
On Friday, the wrestler visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar and met Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedars Giani Raghubir Singh and Giani Harpreet Singh. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) welcomed her to the spiritual site and she was gifted a replica of the Golden Temple.
#WATCH | Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was felicitated by farmer leaders today, as she arrived at their protest site at Shambhu border as the agitation completed 200 days. pic.twitter.com/4yXLXhv2KR
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2024
Akal Takht and the SGPC backed her when she protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding registration of sexual assault case against BJP leader and former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was the chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Phogat made history in Paris Olympics when she beat champion Yui Susaki. However, she was disqualified for surpassing the weight limit by 100 grams. She has now retired from wrestling but is yet announce if she is planning to contest in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.
