At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spoke with the wrestlers who were protesting. Gandhi called for the dismissal of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and voiced support for the wrestlers.
As there has been no communication from any government official for the wrestlers who have renewed their protests this month, the Congress general secretary has charged that the government is “protecting” Singh.
Priyanka Gandhi was spotted mingling with accomplished female wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik.
Priyanka Gandhi with protesting wrestlers in Jantar Mantar on April 29, 2023 Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Dipender Hooda meet wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik.By Suresh K. Pandey for Outlook
Gandhi asked for a copy of the two FIRs that the Delhi Police is said to have filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the head of the WFI, on Friday in response to complaints of sexual harassment made by seven female wrestlers. While one FIR was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in response to allegations involving a young wrestler, the other was filed for outraging modesty.
Speaking to reporters at Jantar Mantar, Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the wrestlers receive a copy of the FIRs that were filed on Friday.”Everyone tweets that these girls are our nation’s pride when they get medals, but when they are sitting by the side of the road and asking to be heard, no one is willing to do so. They should be given a copy of any FIRs that have been filed, she added.
“See, there are serious allegations against this person, he should first resign and be removed from the post,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a statement demanding the dismissal of the WFI chairman from his position. He will continue to apply pressure and ruin people’s careers until he is in that position.
“What is the point of FIRs and investigations if that person is there on a post through which he can ruin the careers of wrestlers and exert pressure?” she said.
At Jantar Mantar, Priyanka Gandhi encounters wrestlers
On April 29, 2023, during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Dipender Hooda meet wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik.Picture from Outlook by Suresh K. Pandey
Gandhi recommended that WFI deprive Bhashan of his position and authority.
Priyanka Gandhi criticised the administration earlier this week and demanded to know whether it wanted to protect the people responsible for the incident while also supporting the wrestlers who were protesting. “I don’t have any expectations from the prime minister because if he had been worried about these wrestlers, he would have at the very least contacted them and spoken to them, I don’t have any expectations from the prime minister. When they won medals, he had invited them over for tea. They are our girls, so call them and talk to them, “Priyanka Gandhi said.
The general secretary of the Congress further said that the cries of athletes, who uphold the dignity of the nation, were being disregarded and claimed that such voices are silenced “when the arrogance of a party and its leaders” is at an all-time high.
At Jantar Mantar earlier this week, Congress leaders Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda, and Udit Raj joined the protesting wrestlers to show their support.
