New Delhi. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday met the wrestlers sitting on a dharna demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and expressed support to them.
He alleged that the government was shielding Singh. The Congress general secretary also said that Singh should be removed from his post first. Priyanka reached Jantar Mantar on Saturday morning before leaving for campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections. She also had a separate conversation with the women wrestlers and sat there for some time. During this, Rajya Sabha member Deepender Hooda was also with him.
Priyanka told reporters, “When these girls win medals for the country, everyone praises them, calls them pride for the country, but today when they are sitting on a dharna, no one is ready to listen.” He said that first Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh should be removed from the post of Wrestling Federation President, as he would continue to misuse power and ruin the careers of wrestlers while on the post.
Targeting the government, Priyanka asked why is she saving Singh? He said, “These girls have done so much for their country and state….When they came after winning medals, the Prime Minister had called them, but why are they not getting them now?” In response to a question, Priyanka said that she has no hope from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress leader alleged that whenever it comes to exploitation against women, the government remains silent. She said that all the women of the country should stand with these women wrestlers so that action is taken. Priyanka said that no one knows what is in both the FIRs lodged against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He questioned why the FIR was not shown to these wrestlers.
It may be noted that Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs in connection with allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. A senior police officer had said on Friday that two FIRs have been registered at the Connaught Place police station on the complaint of women wrestlers.
He had said that the first FIR pertains to allegations made by a minor, under which a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. The wrestlers, who have accused Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation, once again launched their agitation from 23 April. Earlier, they had staged a sit-in in January.
photo credit: India TV Hindi
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