WFI Sexual Harassment Case: Top Opposition Leaders Back Wrestlers, Say ‘Guilty Must Be Punished’ | India News

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WFI Sexual Harassment Case: Top Opposition Leaders Back Wrestlers, Say ‘Guilty Must Be Punished’ | India News


NEW DELHI: Top Opposition leaders, together with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka Congress chief D Ok Shivakmar, Kerala Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, RLD chief Jayant Sinha and Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party, on Friday prolonged their unconditional assist to the highest wrestlers agitating towards Wrestling Federation Of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Mohan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by feminine athletes.

Reacting to the grapplers’ ongoing protest, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated, “We must all stand with the wrestlers who are protesting. They are speaking in one voice. Our sportspersons are the pride of our nation. They are champions. The guilty must be brought to book, irrespective of their political affiliation. Justice must prevail. Truth must win.”

 

 

Echoing comparable considerations, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar stated, “As a nation, we should hang our heads in shame that Olympic medal-winning sportswomen have to sit on protest again and again but the BJP-controlled Delhi Police won’t file an FIR. BJP leaders seem to be above the law. There’s a separate IPC for them: Immunity & Protection Code.”

 

 

Extending his assist to the wrestlers protesting on the Jantar Mantar, RLD chief Jayant Singh took to Twitter and tweeted, “Molestation is a heinous crime & cognizable offence under CrPC’s 1st Schedule. After the Lalita Kumari vs State of UP (2013) five-judge bench judgement, there is no legroom for immediate registration of FIR. How can Govt plead for Preliminary inquiry prior to FIR?” 

 

 

Expressing solidarity with the grapplers, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot too prolonged his assist to them and demanded an impartial probe by a sitting Supreme Court decide into the matter. “I specific solidarity and assist for the courageous ladies wrestlers combating for justice at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. As the Delhi Police is refusing to even file an FIR of their sexual harassment grievance towards the highly effective BJP MP who’s the wrestling federation chief, I hope the judiciary will step in and order an impartial probe by a sitting Supreme Court decide. Our worldwide sportswomen deserve higher.  

 

 

Meanwhile, Delhi’s ruling AAP acknowledged that “Justice delayed is justice denied‼️” In a tweet via its official deal with, AAP stated, “It’s a matter of national shame to see brave women Olympians wrestle for justice against a powerful MP being protected by the Modi government.”

 

 

Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor too expressed his displeasure on a fellow lawmaker and one who additionally hails from Kerala – P T Usha over her assertion within the ongoing protests launched by the wrestlers in New Delhi.

 

 

Usha, who at present is a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha and was not too long ago was appointed the Indian Olympic Association president, has rubbed many the incorrect manner on account of her remarks when she stated the IOA has an athletes` fee and as an alternative of happening the streets, they might have come to the IOA.

The IOA president`s assertion drew the ire of the protesting wrestlers, who known as it “insensitive”. Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sakshi Malik stated, “Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other women athletes. We have followed her since childhood and were inspired by her. Where is the indiscipline here? We are holding a peaceful protest.”

Vinesh Phogat, the CWG and World Championship medalist, echoed the chorus. Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra supported the wrestlers with a tweet on Wednesday. “As athletes, we train hard every day to represent our country on the international stage. It is deeply concerning to see our athletes finding it necessary to protest on the streets regarding the allegations of harassment in the Indian wrestling administration,” Bindra tweeted.

 

 

“My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. We must ensure that this issue is handled properly, with the athletes` concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently. This incident highlights the crucial need for a proper safeguarding mechanism that can prevent harassment and ensure justice for those affected. We must work towards creating a safe and secure environment for all athletes to thrive in,” he added.


Will Continue Protest Until Accused Is Punished: Sangeeta Phogat

 

Sangeeta Phogat, a rising Indian wrestler and Bajrag Punia`s spouse, on Friday, stated that the wrestlers will proceed to protest and battle for justice. 

“We didn`t get justice earlier. We were fighting for justice earlier and we are fighting for justice now. We will continue to do so until the accused is punished. So we will continue to protest here. The girls have blamed him for sexual harassment so an FIR should be registered and he should get punished according to the acts. As you can see nobody came to us we didn`t receive a phone call nobody has told us that we will get justice,” Sangeeta Phogat stated.

Some of India`s prime wrestlers, together with Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik together with Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat are protesting on the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, in search of motion towards WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of girls grapplers.

Candlelight March At Jantar Mantar

 

Over the final 4 days, the wrestlers have slept and educated on the protest website, close to the Jantar Mantar within the nationwide capital. On Wednesday, the grapplers held a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president. Vinesh Phoghat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik had been current within the march.

Speaking to the media, Sakshi Malik stated, “We urge PM Modi to listen to our Mann Ki Baat. Even Smriti Irani-ji is not listening to us. We are trying to show them the light through this candlelight march. “The ace wrestler stated no FIR has been filed even after they lodged a grievance towards the WFI chief on Friday. “We are now counting on the Supreme Court to give us justice,” stated Sakshi.

Further Probe Needed Before Filing A Case: Delhi Police

 

Delhi Police has submitted earlier than the Supreme Court {that a} preliminary inquiry could be wanted earlier than lodging an FIR towards WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. Delhi Police apprised the courtroom that the police felt that there have been some points that wanted preliminary inquiry. However, it clarified that it has no hesitation in submitting an FIR instantly if the courtroom directs it to take action.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud stated the matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday and the bench will have a look at your complete materials.

SC Notice To Delhi Police

 

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued discover to Delhi Police on the wrestler`s plea in search of an pressing listening to on a petition in search of registration of FIR towards WFI president Brij Bhushan. The courtroom famous that there are severe allegations within the petition by wrestlers who’ve represented India.

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced on Monday that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will likely be forming an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) inside 45 days of its formation, to handle day-to-day affairs of the physique, together with the collection of athletes and making entries for the participation of gamers in worldwide occasions.

This committee will likely be functioning for an interim interval until a brand new Executive Committee takes cost. In mild of the protests by a number of the nation`s most adopted and celebrated grapplers earlier in January, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had introduced the formation of an `oversight committee` to probe allegations towards the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and different coaches.

The committee, headed by Olympian MC Mary Kom, was tasked with probing the costs and submitting a report back to the ministry. 





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