Wrestlers’ Performance: A week after resuming their agitation in the national capital, wrestlers on Sunday dismissed allegations that they are in a tussle to control the Wrestling Federation of India, while its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh joined hands with Congress leader Deepender Hooda and wrestler Accused Bajrang Punia of hatching a conspiracy. conspiracy against him. Angry players claimed that Brij Bhushan’s family was running the federation.
Following the Supreme Court’s direction, the Delhi Police on Sunday provided security to women wrestlers, including a minor, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Singh and asked the complainants to record their statements soon so that further investigation could be carried out in the matter. Can go , officials said.
Brij Bhushan praises Akhilesh
Booked for alleged sexual assault of women wrestlers, Singh, who has vowed to fight the charges, alleged that opposition parties were “tutoring” the players and also accused former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of opposing Praised for not linking to the BJP, said the Samajwadi Party chief was “standing with the truth”.
The protesting wrestlers, who had first leveled sexual harassment allegations against Singh in January, resumed their sit-in last Sunday, demanding that the findings of the Centre-appointed panel probing the allegations be made public. be made public.
nepotism
The Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against the BJP MP under the POCSO Act. WFI president claimed that wrestlers want to take over WFI and only one family, Phogat, is behind the protest. Wrestler Bajrang Punia countered the allegation.
“If you want to be in the WFI, you have to be a member of the state association. We don’t want control of the WFI.” “His son is the president of the UP association, and the secretary is his son’s brother-in-law. His son-in-law is also a member of a state association. He is accusing us of ‘parivarvad’ (nepotism).” This is happening in his case,” he claimed.
Brijbhushan targeted Punia
However, on Sunday, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh targeted Punia while talking to reporters at his residence in Bishnoharpur, Uttar Pradesh. This whole conspiracy was hatched by Congress leader Deepender Hooda and wrestler Bajrang Punia. We have an audio to prove this which will be handed over to the Delhi Police when the time comes.”
While talking to the media at the protest site at Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers said that they are ready for a long fight. Asked if this has affected her preparations for the Asian Games later this year, Punia said, “We train whenever we get time… But getting justice for India’s daughters is my priority.” Will be a big medal.
“We have full faith in the Supreme Court…we are ready for the long haul,” he said.
Asked whether they would call off their protest if Singh is arrested, he said, “If he is arrested, we will discuss it with our khap leaders…others who are with us.” And will act on the movement as decided by them.”
The wrestlers also urged the media not to give a platform to Singh to speak till he is acquitted by the court.
Media is supporting Bhushan: Punia
“The media is favoring Brij Bhushan more than the players. You see his criminal record. Does any player sitting here or players from other sports have a criminal record?” Punia told reporters.
“Sportsmen win medals for the country, and they are questioning medal winners. Have become.” ” They said.
Double world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat said Singh’s allegation that he was involved in politics was baseless. “We are not involved in any politics. We speak straight from the heart and it connects and that is why so many people are sitting here supporting us.” She said, “How can you give platform to such a criminal, I ask? Ask yourself…that man is still saying something with a smile on his face. His ego is bigger than that of Ravana (in the epic Ramayana). “
“You guys can garland him if he comes clean as per the Supreme Court order… He has exploited women athletes and is being respected. I request you not to give him that platform,” she said. Give.”
The wrestlers have complained of non-cooperation from the authorities, whom they accused of cutting off electricity and water supply during the night.
Many political parties came in support
Various political parties including Congress, Left parties, Trinamool Congress and AAP have extended their support to the protesting wrestlers. Indian National Lok Dal leader Abhay Chautala and JDU leader KC Tyagi met the protesters on Sunday. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad also joined the wrestlers at the protest site.
A day after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deepender Hooda met wrestlers, her husband and Businessman Robert Vadra also reached the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Robert Vadra said, “I am supporting the athletes. The whole family is with them. Till they get justice, we will definitely support them.”
Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the wrestlers in the Supreme Court, said they are facing the plight of an evasive accused and “no arrest”, and wondered if there would be “firmness” in the matter. investigation”.
In a tweet, he said: “The plight of the protesting wrestlers: A minor, 6 other victims, an evasive accused, a silent PMO, no arrests. A polite investigation?” The WFI chief, however, alleged that the players were not speaking their mind and were being taught by political parties. He said, “This fight is no longer in the hands of the players. Political parties have entered… All these players have become toys of the Congress and other opposition parties. Their motive is political, not my resignation.” Till now the copy of the FIR registered against him has not been received.
“If they (protesters) go back (to their homes) after my resignation and sleep peacefully, I am ready to resign,” he said.
Speaking to PTI on Sunday, the WFI president said, “I want to thank Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav (for not taking the side of the protesting wrestlers). I have known him since childhood. I am older than them. Though there are political differences between us, Akhilesh knows the truth.
BJP leader has other issues
The BJP MP from Kaiserganj also claimed that players belonging to the Railways were sitting at the protest site at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, and wondered why the Railway Board was not stopping them.
“It is their right to protest, but can a sportsperson associated with the Railways sit on such a dharna where objectionable slogans are being raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,” he said.
In response to a question, the BJP MP said that his party should not be dragged into this matter. “Don’t drag the party (BJP) into this episode. These allegations have been leveled against me as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India and not as a BJP MP. I have to prove myself innocent…so don’t,” he said. Do it.” Take this fight on BJP. If the party asks me to resign, I will do so immediately.
When asked about Priyanka Gandhi’s participation in the protest, Singh claimed, “She does not know the facts. Deepender Hooda, the mastermind of this conspiracy, brought her to the protest site.” After the results of the probe are out, they will realize that they should not have gone to the protest site.”
The protesting wrestlers on Saturday warned against using their platform for political gains and claimed that some people were trying to take their fight for justice in a different direction. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, Delhi government ministers Atishi Singh and Saurabh Bhardwaj have visited the protest site in the past few days to pledge their support to the athletes.
(With inputs from PTI)