Opposing wrestlers: The Congress party on Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of sexual harassment against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Grand Old Party asked if it was a “better environment” for the Games than the one created by the government. Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat had alleged that WFI president Singh has been sexually harassing women wrestlers for years. However, Singh has categorically rejected the allegations leveled against him, accusing some industrialists of maligning his image.
Congress demands CBI inquiry into the matter
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the players have made serious allegations of exploitation against the wrestling federation and its president and their voices should be heard. “Our sportspersons are the pride of the country. They bring laurels to the country with their performances at the world stage,” he wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, claimed that the list of BJP leaders who tortured daughters is endless. He tweeted in Hindi, “Was ‘Beti Bachao’ a warning from BJP leaders to save daughters! Prime Minister, please answer. Prime Minister, why are all these girls who commit atrocities from the BJP?”
‘Is this a better environment…’ Congress asks govt
Ramesh further said, “Yesterday you said that a better environment has been created for sports in the country. Is this a ‘better environment’ in which even the daughters who bring laurels to the country are not safe?”
Phogat also claimed that several coaches at the national camp in Lucknow have also exploited women wrestlers, adding that there are some women in the camp who approached the wrestlers at the behest of the WFI president.
The 28-year-old, however, clarified that she never faced such abuse but claimed that “a victim” was present at the ‘dharna’ that began at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Sports Ministry seeks clarification from WFI
Singh, 66, was elected unopposed as the president of the WFI for the third consecutive term in February 2019. Taking cognizance of the allegations, the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from the WFI and directed it to respond within the next 72 hours.
Notably, Rio Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, World Championship medalist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Satyawart Malik, Jitendra Kinha, Amit Dhankhar and Commonwealth Games medalist Sumit Malik were among the 30 wrestlers, who had gathered at the famous protest site.
(With inputs from PTI)