New Delhi: Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and different protesting wrestlers have stated that they’re hopeful of getting justice from the Supreme Court amid the contemporary stir towards BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faces severe allegations of sexual harassment by ladies wrestlers. The agitating wrestlers on Tuesday met their advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on the latter`s home. Later, talking with media individuals, Punia stated the grapplers, who sat in protest close to the Jantar Mantar demanding the removing of Brij Bhushan within the mild of allegations of sexual harassment by ladies grapplers and an overhaul of the federation, have been hopeful of getting justice from the Supreme Court as there is no such thing as a one above the legislation.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
Charges of sexual harassment towards BJP (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Protesters :
Unable to maneuver the conscience of these in energy
Have determined to :
Move the Supreme CourtInsaaf ke Sipahi are with you
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) April 25, 2023
SC Seeks Response From Delhi Police
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a discover to Delhi Police on the wrestler`s plea searching for registration of an FIR towards the WFI chief within the mild of the allegations. After the wrestlers went public with their allegations towards the WFI president in January, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had introduced the five-member oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, to look into allegations towards Singh, a BJP chief and a muscleman with a felony historical past.
Pending the report by the oversight committee, the WFI president was requested to step except for the day-to-day actions of the federation. “We are holding a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in the hope of justice. We had been awaiting justice for the last 3 months but didn`t get it. Hence, we have been forced to launch fresh protests outside Jantar Mantar. The Supreme Court has taken cognisance of this matter, terming it ”serious.” This gives us hope of justice soon,” Punia advised reporters after assembly Kapil Sibal.
Sibal additionally questioned Delhi Police for not registering an FIR towards the WFI chief, saying, “It`s most unfortunate that people in power talk about morality, talk about doing the right thing when, in fact, the reality is just the opposite. The investigating agencies act on their (government`s) directions. On what basis did the police not register an FIR? The Supreme Court`s position is quite clear. If there are allegations against an individual that make out a cognisable offence, an FIR should be registered. This is a very serious offence.”
On the protesting wrestlers not forwarding the allegations towards the WFI chief in writing to the committee, Punia stated, “Two wrestlers have already given affidavits. We cannot disclose their names. We have also shared some details and evidence. They deposed before the committee detailing the allegations of sexual harassment. So, the committee has enough material on record to push for action (against the WFI chief).”
Several nationwide medal-winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the federal government for making public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations towards Singh.
All Political Parties Are Welcome, Say Wrestlers
Meanwhile, the agitating wrestlers had modified their stance and stated that each one political events have been ‘welcome’ to help their case. Top Indian wrestlers, together with Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others returned to New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday to stage protests towards Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually assaulting ladies wrestlers.
“All parties are welcomed, be it the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party or any other party. When we win a medal, we don’t wave any party’s flag but only the Indian flag. When we win medals, everyone, not just one party comes forward to congratulate us, and neither are we affiliated with a single party. We are a part of this country and all Indians are welcome to join the protests. If we don’t fight for the women of the country then we can’t fight against anything,” Punia advised reporters on the protest website.
Punia’s feedback had come after CPI(M) Leader Brinda Karat, who had come to help the wrestlers’ protest in January, was requested to step down from the stage. The wrestlers had then maintained that they didn’t wish to make the protests political. It was then stated that no politicians can be allowed to talk on the stage. Punia had then stated, “We don’t want the protest to take a political shape”.