By India Today News Desk: The wrestlers have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for over 20 days, with no endgame in sight. The grapplers, who earlier demanded FIR against Brij Bhushan, now demand his arrest on charges of sexual harassment.
India Today’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai reached out to protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogal and Sangeeta Phogat, and their supporters to find out what they seek from the government.
It is to be noted that the Delhi Police has registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Singh including one under Pocso Act. However, the wrestlers claim that is not enough.
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“There are many FIRs against him. If FIR led to something, it [arrest] would have happened earlier also,” Bajrang Punia told India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai.
“A committee was formed earlier. It contained his [Brij Bhushan’s] people, it worked according to his wishes,” Punia said, referring to the government panel that probed the allegations against Brij Bhushan.The government is yet to make the panel report public.
“The committee gave him a clean chit,” Punia added.
On FIRs against the WFI chief, Vinesh Phogat asked, “Seven girls have given complaint. If FIR was filed under Pocso Act, then interrogation should take place. Why is Brij Bhushan not arrested?”
“Why is he being treated differently? We do not trust the police,” the top wrestler told India Today.
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The wrestlers said they tried calling Sports Minister Anurag Thakur when the committee was formed following their protests in January but officials said “the minister is busy”.
PROTEST POLITICAL?
To a question on whether the protests have taken a political turn, Bajrang Punia said, “To those who say this is being politicised, give us justice. We will end protests and walk away.”
He added that wrestlers want Brij Bhushan’s resignation from WFI top post and strict action based on all the complaints against him.
“Brij Bhushan is shameless. He should go to jail,” said Vinesh Phogat.
‘WE WANT TO PLAY, BUT…’
Vinesh Phogat further revealed that the wrestlers want to play for India but the ministry should decide whether “they want us or not”.
“We got medals based on our merit and ability. We will do that in future too,” she added.
‘READY TO SACRIFICE’
Another top wrestlers Sakshi Malik told India Today that when the wrestlers resumed their protest last month, they had decided to sacrifice everything and fight for justice.
“First they protrayed us as liars, he started to run the federation again. In Ayodhya, he started the nationals,” Sakshi Malik said.
“Our protest doesn’t support any political party, people here are not from any party. We represent the nation. This is a platform for people who believe in justice,” she added.
