Priyanka meets protesting wrestlers, accuses govt of 'protecting' WFI chief

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar here on Saturday and accused the government of protecting WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who is facing allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women grapplersThe Congress general secretary also called for the Wrestling Federation of India WFI chiefs ouster from the post so that he is unable to exert pressure on the wrestlers and hamper their careersPriyanka Gandhi who is scheduled to take part in a series of poll campaign events in Karnataka later in the day reached Jantar Mantar in the morning and interacted with the wrestlersShe was seen hearing out ace women wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat Speaking with reporters at Jantar Mantar Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the copy of FIRs filed on Friday must be shared with the wrestlers as they do not know under what sections of the Indian Penal Code have been appliedWhen these girls get medals everyone tweets say they are our countrys pride but now when they are sitting on the road and seeking to be heard saying they have been wronged no one is ready to listen to them If FIRs have been filed their copy should be shared with them she saidCalling for the Wrestling Federation of India WFI chiefs ouster from the post Priyanka Gandhi said See there are serious allegations against this person he should first resign and be removed from the post Till he is in that post he will continue to exert pressure and keep destroying peoples careersIf that person is there on a post through which he can destroy the careers of wrestlers harass them and exert pressure then what is the meaning of FIRs and investigation she saidThey should remove him from the post and take away his powers the Congress leader asserted I dont have any expectations from the prime minister because if he had been concerned about these wrestlers then he would have at least called them and spoken with them He had called them for tea when they won medalsSo call them talk to them they are our girls said Priyanka Gandhi flanked by top wrestlers Bajrang Punia Malik Phogat and Congress MP Deepender HoodaShe said many women wrestlers have complained and I want to understand why is the government protecting this personI want to ask why so much is being done to protect this man These girls who have done so much for the country and their homes you should save them and they government are saving this person Priyanka Gandhi saidWhat does it say about our country if we cannot save our girls she said Asked about the oversight panel that investigated the allegations the Congress general secretary said We all know what committees are they are meant to skirt the issueAlso readWhen arrogance of party is sky high voices are crushed Priyanka Gandhi VadraWhenever there is exploitation of women this government goes mute she alleged and added that it is an old story that FIRs are not registered and women have to run from pillar to postThere girls are so brave and courageous and they are standing up and saying that we will not let this happen she said The prime minister acknowledges or not his ministers acknowledge or not their government acknowledges or not the whole country is with them women wrestlers and the government wants to save this man Singh Priyanka Gandhi saidAction will be taken when there will be public pressure she said and urged the women to stand with the wrestlers and help them raise their voice I am proud of these women wrestlers and all of us should stand with them Priyanka Gandhi saidEarlier this week she had voiced support for the protesting wrestlers and slammed the government asking whether it wants to save the culprits in the matter The Congress general secretary had also said the pleas of the sportspersons who enhance the countrys honour were being ignored and asserted that when the arrogance of a party and its leaders is sky high then such voices are crushedCongress leaders such as Bhupinder Hooda Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj had also joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar earlier this week to express solidarity with them With the chorus of support for the protesting wrestlers growing the Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlersThe First Information Reports FIRs were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for Delhi Police told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on FridayWhile one FIR relates to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act the other was related to outraging modestyAfter Mehtas submission the countrys top wrestlers who have been on a sitin at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh rejoiced the first step towards victory but said they will continue their agitation They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds Singh has completed 12 years as the WFI chief and is ineligible to contest for another termThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever