Wrestler Bajrang Punia addresses the Panchayat in Sonipat, on June 10, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is utilizing his affect to place sexual harassment victims below strain and forcing them to alter their statements, the protesting wrestlers alleged on Saturday, threatening to resume their stir if a powerful action is not taken towards him by June 15.
The authorities had assured the wrestlers {that a} charge-sheet will be filed towards the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Singh by June 15, following which they’d halted their protest.
The wrestlers known as a ‘Panchayat’ at Chhotu Ram Dharamshaala in Sonepat district, inviting khap, farmers and members from ladies organisation, who’ve supported them of their “fight for justice”. The wresters apprised their supporters of the dialogue they’d with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday.
Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik mentioned efforts are being made to interrupt the victims.
“It’s proved, the statements were recorded under section 161 and 164 and it changed. We can’t understand,” Sakshi mentioned referring to withdrawal of sexual harassment expenses by a minor, who is one of many seven complainants within the case, “It is clear that father of the minor was under pressure. Pressure is being built. For how long we will fight then,” she mentioned.
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“Bajrang is getting calls, bik jao, toot jao (take bribe, end the protest). Wrong narratives are being set (by media). It breaks our hearts,” she mentioned.
“That is why we had said first arrest him and then investigate. If he is in police custody, he can’t pressurise. Otherwise, one by one, victims will break. Till he is out, an atmosphere of terror will remain.”
“We will not compete in Asian Games until a proper resolution comes out in this case. You can’t understand the mental agony we are going through everyday,” mentioned Sakshi.
Bajrang Punia, one of many key members of the protest, whereas talking throughout the panchayat, insisted that no politics is concerned of their stir towards the WFI chief.
Later talking to media, he mentioned,”We had called this Panchayat to inform everyone the discussion we had. If a strong action is not taken by June 15, we will resume our protest.” He mentioned they not but selected the venue of the protest and it might be both “Jantar Mantar or Ram Leela Maidan”.
The police has already made it clear that the wrestlers will not be allowed again to Jantar Mantar.
Vinesh Phogat was not a part of the dialogue when Mr. Thakur had invited wrestlers for an interplay and she or he was absent even at the moment.
Asked about this, each Bajrang and Sakshi gave completely different solutions.
“Let me tell you that Sakshi, Bajrang and Vinesh are one. Vinesh is handling the legal issue, there is lot of other work as well. Rumours are being spread that we are stepping back We are one, we are united in our decisions,” mentioned Sakshi.
Bajrang mentioned, “Vinesh is unwell that is why she is not here today.” Both Bajrang and Sakshi criticised the Delhi Police for taking one of many victims to WFI workplace in New Delhi when the accused was additionally current on the premises.
“How fair is that you take a girl there to re-create the scene when that man is there inside? You can understand the mental pressure she would have felt,” mentioned Bajrang.
A couple of media shops urged that wrestler reached the WFI workplace to work out a compromise and Sakshi denounced it.
“Delhi police was wrong. What’s the use of this? I request, not to spread wrong news. We are getting support, do not mislead. We are working hard, we break every day. Then we lift our spirits. If you can’t support us, then at least do not spread wrong information,” she concluded.Â
