Wrestlers Protest Continues at Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi with wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Sangita Phogat speaks with the media during wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Saturday, April 29, 2023. Congress leader Deepender Hooda is also seen. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)(PTI04_29_2023_000018B)

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. It has been more than a week now that the Wrestlers are sitting on Dharna demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on complaints of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. Though the FIRs have been registered by Delhi Police but wrestlers will continue their protest till the WFI chief is arrested.

 Top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia today continued their Dharna at Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India Chief Bhushan Sharan Singh on charges of sexually harassing women wrestlers. The wrestlers are demanding the resignation of BJP MP from all the positions he holds. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi today met them in the morning and hit out at Delhi Police for not providing the copy of the FIRs against WFI Chief. “When these girls win medals, everyone tweets in favor of them but now when they are sitting on the road and seeking to be heard no one is listening to them” added Priyanka.

“ I don’t have any expectations From the PM, because if he is worried, then why he did not meet these wrestlers yet”, She also said that there are serious allegations against Mr Singh and he should resign from the post immediately. Till he is at this post he would continue to exert pressure and harass these women wrestlers, Priyanka added. Other Congress leaders like Udit raj, Deepender hooda and Bhupender Hooda also joined the protesting wrestlers in solidarity. Congress Leader Navjot Singh Siddhu is also expected to meet these wrestlers on Monday.

The Delhi Police have now registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan singh with sexual harassment charges levied by women wrestlers. Though the wrestlers are demanding FIR against the BJP MP from many days but it came after the Supreme Court issued notices to the Delhi Police on a plea by seven women wrestlers seeking resignation of an FIR against the WFI chief. Delhi Police have registered one FIR under section 354,354(A),354(D), and 34 of IPC.  One of the FIRs is on a complaint by a minor so FIR is filed under the Stringent Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act .Delhi Police will also provide security to the wrestlers. Meanwhile Sports personalities like Kapil Dev, Neeraj chopra, Sania Mirza and Bollywood stars like Pooja Bhatt, Sonu Sood and Swara Bhaskar  and some others have come out in support of these wrestlers.