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  • Harshest punishment for accused no matter how extremely efficient: Kejriwal joins wrestlers protest

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday met wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in the direction of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and said every Indian who loves the nation ought to face with them of their wrestle.

    The wrestlers have been protesting for nearly each week demanding movement in the direction of Singh, moreover a BJP MP, on sexual harassment allegations levelled by seven women players. The Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs in the direction of the WFI chief.

    Extending his help to the wrestlers, Kejriwal said people who commit such wrongs in the direction of women “should be hanged”. “All these women players who have brought laurels to the country are our daughters, they must get justice. No matter how powerful the accused is, he should be given the harshest punishment,” he later said in a tweet in Hindi.

    ALSO READ | Priyanka meets protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, accuses govt of ‘defending’ WFI chief

    In his cope with from the protest web site, Kejriwal moreover requested people from all over the place within the nation to take depart and can be found to Jantar Mantar to help the wrestlers.

    The chief minister claimed {that electrical} vitality and water present to the protest venue had been disconnected and gives like meals and mattresses have been being not allowed in, and promised to help them.

    I urge central authorities not develop to be inhumane. Water and electrical vitality present on the protest web site stopped. Delhi govt. will give all requisite facilities to these wrestlers – Arvind Kejriwal @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Shahid_Faridi_ @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/TaaAtNvv0N

    — Amit Pandey (@yuva_journalist) April 29, 2023

    Kejriwal said the protesting wrestlers, along with award-winning sportspersons, launched laurels to the nation and however wanted to protest and technique the Supreme Court for movement in the direction of Singh.

    Without taking any names, Kejriwal said no damage ever entails any chief of “one party” even after they do one factor mistaken and that is what occurred proper right here.

    ALSO READ | Stir to proceed till WFI chief is arrested, say India’s excessive grapplers

    Kejriwal saluted the wrestlers for his or her wrestle, and said people who cherished their nation ought to elongate help to them.

    The Delhi Police FIRs in the direction of Singh have been filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, exhibiting for the stress, suggested a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha {{that a}} case will in all probability be registered on Friday.

    While the first FIR pertains to allegations by a minor wrestler and was registered beneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second was related to outraging modesty.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday met wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in the direction of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and said every Indian who loves the nation ought to face with them of their wrestle.

    The wrestlers have been protesting for nearly each week demanding movement in the direction of Singh, moreover a BJP MP, on sexual harassment allegations levelled by seven women players. The Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs in the direction of the WFI chief.

    Extending his help to the wrestlers, Kejriwal said people who commit such wrongs in the direction of women “should be hanged”. “All these women players who have brought laurels to the country are our daughters, they must get justice. No matter how powerful the accused is, he should be given the harshest punishment,” he later said in a tweet in Hindi.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    ALSO READ | Priyanka meets protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, accuses govt of ‘defending’ WFI chief

    In his cope with from the protest web site, Kejriwal moreover requested people from all over the place within the nation to take depart and can be found to Jantar Mantar to help the wrestlers.

    The chief minister claimed {that electrical} vitality and water present to the protest venue had been disconnected and gives like meals and mattresses have been being not allowed in, and promised to help them.

    I urge central authorities not develop to be inhumane. Water and electrical vitality present on the protest web site stopped. Delhi govt. will give all requisite facilities to these wrestlers – Arvind Kejriwal @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Shahid_Faridi_ @TheMornStandard pic.twitter.com/TaaAtNvv0N
    — Amit Pandey (@yuva_journalist) April 29, 2023
    Kejriwal said the protesting wrestlers, along with award-winning sportspersons, launched laurels to the nation and however wanted to protest and technique the Supreme Court for movement in the direction of Singh.

    Without taking any names, Kejriwal said no damage ever entails any chief of “one party” even after they do one factor mistaken and that is what occurred proper right here.

    ALSO READ | Stir to proceed till WFI chief is arrested, say India’s excessive grapplers

    Kejriwal saluted the wrestlers for his or her wrestle, and said people who cherished their nation ought to elongate help to them.

    The Delhi Police FIRs in the direction of Singh have been filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, exhibiting for the stress, suggested a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha {{that a}} case will in all probability be registered on Friday.

    While the first FIR pertains to allegations by a minor wrestler and was registered beneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second was related to outraging modesty.

  • Priyanka meets protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, accuses govt of ‘defending’ WFI chief

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  Congress chief Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar proper right here on Saturday and accused the federal authorities of “protecting” WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who’s going by allegations of sexual harassment levelled by ladies grapplers.

    The Congress widespread secretary moreover referred to as for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief’s ouster from the publish in order that he is unable to “exert pressure” on the wrestlers and hamper their careers.

    Priyanka Gandhi, who’s scheduled to take part in a set of poll advertising and marketing marketing campaign events in Karnataka later throughout the day, reached Jantar Mantar throughout the morning and interacted with the wrestlers.

    The Congress widespread secretary accused the federal authorities of “protecting” Singh.

    Priyanka Gandhi, who’s scheduled to take part in a set of poll advertising and marketing marketing campaign events in Karnataka later throughout the day, reached Jantar Mantar throughout the morning and interacted with the wrestlers.

    She was seen listening to out ace ladies wrestlers akin to Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

    ALSO READ | Protest to proceed till WFI chief is arrested, say India’s excessive grapplers

    Speaking with reporters at Jantar Mantar, Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the copy of FIRs filed on Friday must be shared with the wrestlers.

    “When these girls get medals, everyone tweets, says they are our country’s pride but now when they are sitting on the road and seeking to be heard, no one is ready to listen to them. If FIRs have been filed, their copy should be shared with them,” she talked about.

    Calling for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief’s ouster from the publish, Priyanka Gandhi talked about, “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 people’s careers.” “If that person is there on a post through which he can destroy the careers of wrestlers and exert pressure, then what is the meaning of FIRs and investigation,” she talked about.

    They ought to remove him from the publish and take away his powers, she asserted.

    “I don’t 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 medals. So call them, talk to them, they are our girls,” Priyanka Gandhi talked about.

    Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi had voiced assist for the protesting wrestlers and slammed the federal authorities, asking whether or not or not it needs to avoid wasting a lot of the culprits throughout the matter.

    The Congress widespread secretary had moreover talked about the pleas of the sportspersons, who enhance the nation’s honour, had been being ignored, and asserted that “when the arrogance of a party and its leaders” is sky extreme, then such voices are crushed.

    Congress leaders akin to Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj had moreover joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar earlier this week to particular solidarity with them.

    ALSO READ | History-sheeter Brij Bhushan is bigger than a wrestling strongman

    With the chorus of assist for the protesting wrestlers rising, the Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs in opposition to WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven ladies wrestlers.

    The First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, displaying for Delhi Police, knowledgeable a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha {{that a}} case will most likely be registered on Friday.

    While one FIR pertains to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered beneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the other was related to outraging modesty.

    After Mehta’s submission, the nation’s excessive wrestlers, who’ve been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding movement in opposition to Singh, rejoiced “the first step towards victory” nonetheless talked about they’re going to proceed their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be far from all the positions he holds. Singh has achieved 12 years as a result of the WFI chief and is ineligible to contest for a further time interval.

    READ MORE:

    PT Usha claims protest tarnishing India’s image, wrestlers bemused

    Protesting wrestlers welcome all political occasions to hitch agitation in opposition to WFI chief 

    NEW DELHI:  Congress chief Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar proper right here on Saturday and accused the federal authorities of “protecting” WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who’s going by allegations of sexual harassment levelled by ladies grapplers.

    The Congress widespread secretary moreover referred to as for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief’s ouster from the publish in order that he is unable to “exert pressure” on the wrestlers and hamper their careers.

    Priyanka Gandhi, who’s scheduled to take part in a set of poll advertising and marketing marketing campaign events in Karnataka later throughout the day, reached Jantar Mantar throughout the morning and interacted with the wrestlers.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    The Congress widespread secretary accused the federal authorities of “protecting” Singh.

    Priyanka Gandhi, who’s scheduled to take part in a set of poll advertising and marketing marketing campaign events in Karnataka later throughout the day, reached Jantar Mantar throughout the morning and interacted with the wrestlers.

    She was seen listening to out ace ladies wrestlers akin to Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

    ALSO READ | Protest to proceed till WFI chief is arrested, say India’s excessive grapplers

    Speaking with reporters at Jantar Mantar, Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the copy of FIRs filed on Friday must be shared with the wrestlers.

    “When these girls get medals, everyone tweets, says they are our country’s pride but now when they are sitting on the road and seeking to be heard, no one is ready to listen to them. If FIRs have been filed, their copy should be shared with them,” she talked about.

    Calling for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief’s ouster from the publish, Priyanka Gandhi talked about, “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 people’s careers.” “If that person is there on a post through which he can destroy the careers of wrestlers and exert pressure, then what is the meaning of FIRs and investigation,” she talked about.

    They ought to remove him from the publish and take away his powers, she asserted.

    “I don’t 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 medals. So call them, talk to them, they are our girls,” Priyanka Gandhi talked about.

    Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi had voiced assist for the protesting wrestlers and slammed the federal authorities, asking whether or not or not it needs to avoid wasting a lot of the culprits throughout the matter.

    The Congress widespread secretary had moreover talked about the pleas of the sportspersons, who enhance the nation’s honour, had been being ignored, and asserted that “when the arrogance of a party and its leaders” is sky extreme, then such voices are crushed.

    Congress leaders akin to Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj had moreover joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar earlier this week to particular solidarity with them.

    ALSO READ | History-sheeter Brij Bhushan is bigger than a wrestling strongman

    With the chorus of assist for the protesting wrestlers rising, the Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs in opposition to WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven ladies wrestlers.

    The First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, displaying for Delhi Police, knowledgeable a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha {{that a}} case will most likely be registered on Friday.

    While one FIR pertains to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered beneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the other was related to outraging modesty.

    After Mehta’s submission, the nation’s excessive wrestlers, who’ve been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding movement in opposition to Singh, rejoiced “the first step towards victory” nonetheless talked about they’re going to proceed their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be far from all the positions he holds. Singh has achieved 12 years as a result of the WFI chief and is ineligible to contest for a further time interval.

    READ MORE:

    PT Usha claims protest tarnishing India’s image, wrestlers bemused

    Protesting wrestlers welcome all political occasions to hitch agitation in opposition to WFI chief 

  • On and off akhadas, history-sheeter Brij Bhushan is larger than a wrestling strongman

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW:  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, the six-time MP, has a penchant for hogging the limelight, sometimes for the wrong causes. Be it the confession on digital digicam that he shot the killer of his good buddy, or slapping a wrestler on dias over a minor problem — he has cultivated his image of a strongman. He now faces numerous costs as a result of the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by ace wrestlers of the nation.

    Singh has been heading WFI for over 12 years and is the vice-president of the United World Wrestling-Asia, there are numerous layers to the persona of the ruling social gathering MP who represents the Kaiserganj constituency in Lok Sabha. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh likes to be generally known as ‘shaktishali’ (strongman) and being a wrestling buff, he has spent a variety of his youth throughout the akhadas (arenas) of Ayodhya. 

    He has been a BJP MP for five phrases and as quickly as as a result of the SP candidate in 2009. Singh has represented Gonda and Balrampur before now. Singh belongs to Gonda and has been vocal about his Hindutva credentials. He has been deeply associated to RSS and VHP in the midst of the temple movement in 1989. He proclaims to be a Kar Sevak, who was in Ayodhya when Babri Masjid was razed on December 6, 1992, and was amongst LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh to be named as accused throughout the demolition case. 

    At the equivalent time, he was moreover accused of serving to Dawood Ibrahim gang members, along with Subhash Thakur, Jayendra Thakur and Paresh Desai, who had been accused of killing Arun Gawli accomplice. Brij Bhushan was booked beneath TADA on allegations of his hyperlinks with the D-Company. However, later, he was absolved throughout the Babri demolition and TADA circumstances.

    Once a historic previous sheeter, he now has 4 jail circumstances of attempt to murder, rioting, and dacoity in direction of him and does not decide on the itemizing of gangsters anymore in UP. Singh now lords over at least 50 educational institutions throughout the Devi Patan fluctuate, along with Bahraich, Gonda, Balrampur, Ayodhya and Shravasti districts, which are believed to be one different provide of his energy in UP.

    He enjoys loads of goodwill and exercise routines have an effect on. At least one lakh school college students study pharmacy, laws, agriculture and completely different packages in institutes patronized by him. According to a UP BJP chief, yearly on Singh’s birthday (January 8), school college students are shortlisted by means of a experience search to be rewarded with Scooties, bikes and cash. “Singh also waives the fee of thousands of students every year,” the chief acknowledged.

    However, he has started handing over his political legacy to the following period. His youthful son Prateek Bhushan is second time interval MLA from Gonda whereas his elder one Karan is an office-bearer in WFI. His partner Ketki Devi Singh is the president of Gonda Zila Panchayat. He contested and gained his first Lok Sabha election in 1991. He was re-elected in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.

    LUCKNOW:  Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, the six-time MP, has a penchant for hogging the limelight, sometimes for the wrong causes. Be it the confession on digital digicam that he shot the killer of his good buddy, or slapping a wrestler on dias over a minor problem — he has cultivated his image of a strongman. He now faces numerous costs as a result of the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by ace wrestlers of the nation.

    Singh has been heading WFI for over 12 years and is the vice-president of the United World Wrestling-Asia, there are numerous layers to the persona of the ruling social gathering MP who represents the Kaiserganj constituency in Lok Sabha. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh likes to be generally known as ‘shaktishali’ (strongman) and being a wrestling buff, he has spent a variety of his youth throughout the akhadas (arenas) of Ayodhya. 

    He has been a BJP MP for five phrases and as quickly as as a result of the SP candidate in 2009. Singh has represented Gonda and Balrampur before now. Singh belongs to Gonda and has been vocal about his Hindutva credentials. He has been deeply associated to RSS and VHP in the midst of the temple movement in 1989. He proclaims to be a Kar Sevak, who was in Ayodhya when Babri Masjid was razed on December 6, 1992, and was amongst LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh to be named as accused throughout the demolition case. googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    At the equivalent time, he was moreover accused of serving to Dawood Ibrahim gang members, along with Subhash Thakur, Jayendra Thakur and Paresh Desai, who had been accused of killing Arun Gawli accomplice. Brij Bhushan was booked beneath TADA on allegations of his hyperlinks with the D-Company. However, later, he was absolved throughout the Babri demolition and TADA circumstances.

    Once a historic previous sheeter, he now has 4 jail circumstances of attempt to murder, rioting, and dacoity in direction of him and does not decide on the itemizing of gangsters anymore in UP. Singh now lords over at least 50 educational institutions throughout the Devi Patan fluctuate, along with Bahraich, Gonda, Balrampur, Ayodhya and Shravasti districts, which are believed to be one different provide of his energy in UP.

    He enjoys loads of goodwill and exercise routines have an effect on. At least one lakh school college students study pharmacy, laws, agriculture and completely different packages in institutes patronized by him. According to a UP BJP chief, yearly on Singh’s birthday (January 8), school college students are shortlisted by means of a experience search to be rewarded with Scooties, bikes and cash. “Singh also waives the fee of thousands of students every year,” the chief acknowledged.

    However, he has started handing over his political legacy to the following period. His youthful son Prateek Bhushan is second time interval MLA from Gonda whereas his elder one Karan is an office-bearer in WFI. His partner Ketki Devi Singh is the president of Gonda Zila Panchayat. He contested and gained his first Lok Sabha election in 1991. He was re-elected in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.

  • Vinesh outrage prompts stars to lend their voice: Pained, hope for justice

    A DAY after World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat questioned the scarcity of help from totally different sportspersons, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and a lot of different totally different prime sportspersons on Friday lent their help to the wrestlers protesting in direction of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    The nation’s first-ever monitor and topic Olympic gold medalist, Chopra acknowledged he was hurt to see athletes having to demand justice by protesting on the streets.

    “They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud. As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not,” he tweeted.

    Vinesh, who’s on the forefront  of the protests, had suggested The Indian Express all through an Idea Exchange programme that she anticipated her fellow athletes to “at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what pains me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…”

    Soon after Chopra’s current of help, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen, former hockey captain Rani Rampal and a lot of Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza had been amongst people who extended solidarity to the wrestlers, who’ve been on a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday.

    Harbhajan, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP, acknowledged it hurts him to see the satisfaction of India coming out to protest on the streets. “Sakshi, Vinesh are India’s pride. I am pained as a sportsperson to find the pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets. I pray that they get justice. #IStandWithWrestlers,” he wrote on Twitter.

    Later throughout the evening, AAP minister Atishi met the wrestlers and promised them help. With Phogat insisting that they could proceed the protest until Singh was arrested, AAP has promised to supply meals, water and electrical vitality for the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

    Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu acknowledged he’ll probably be changing into a member of the wrestlers’ ‘satyagraha’ on Monday. In a tweet, the Congress chief often known as the delay in submitting of the FIR a “tear on the cheek of time in Indian history”.

    Star Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen wrote on Twitter: “It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state. Sportspeople also serve the nation by bringing glory & laurels… I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earliest.”

    Much sooner than this wave of help, India’s two sporting greats – former cricketer Kapil Dev and Olympic gold worthwhile shooter Abhinav Bindra – had thrown their weight behind the wrestlers.

    On Thursday, Kapil Dev posted a picture of Vinesh, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, with a caption: “Will they ever get justice?”

    Bindra’s publish acknowledged: “My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. We must ensure that this issue is handled properly with athletes’ concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently.”

  • WATCH: Bajrang Punia accuses Delhi Police of lowering electrical vitality at Jantar Mantar, wrestlers requested to complete protest following 2 FIRs filed in the direction of WFI chief

    In an Instagram video, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia has accused the Delhi Police of lowering electrical vitality and ration offers on the wrestlers protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

    Speaking to his followers, Punia claimed that the Delhi Police have cut back off electrical vitality, barricaded the protest site and isn’t not allowing meals and water and have requested the wrestlers to complete their protest after Delhi Police registered two FIRs in the direction of Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment and jail intimidation by seven girls wrestlers.

    “I’ve spoken to the ACP, he said, ‘Do whatever you can, we won’t let water or food in’,” Bajrang said. “You can see the pressure that is being put on us. When the entire country is in support of us, this is what the police are doing.”

    The allegations come minutes after it was confirmed that the Delhi Police have filed two FIR’s in the direction of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    The first FIR is regarding allegations levelled by a minor sufferer, registered beneath POCSO Act (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) along with associated IPC sections relating to outraging of modesty. Meanwhile, the second FIR has been registered to analysis the complaints tendered by totally different wrestlers, who’re grownup complainants beneath associated sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.

    Earlier in the midst of the day, at a press conference from Jantar Mantar, the protesting wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik had revealed that they’re going to proceed their protests at until the WFI chief is arrested.

    “This is our first step towards victory, but the protests will continue,” Sakshi Malik said.

    “This fight is not just about getting an FIR filed. This fight is about getting justice, to punish him, send him behind bars and get him removed from all the positions he holds,” Vinesh Phogat added.

    “There’s an entire list of FIRs against him,” Bajrang Punia had said, pointing to the life-size poster of the numerous cases in the direction of Brijbhushan held on the protest site. “He’s got a lot of cases against him but is roaming free. Until he is behind bars, this protest will continue.”

  • Vinesh asks why prime cricketers, others silent: ‘Are you all so afraid?’

    Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme on Wednesday (edited transcript will appear on Monday, May 1), Vinesh acknowledged: “The entire country worships cricket but not even a single cricketer has spoken up. We aren’t saying that you speak in our favour, but at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what pains me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…”

    She cited the occasion of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, which began inside the US nonetheless seen sportspersons from the world over unite to battle racism and discrimination. “It’s not like we don’t have big athletes in our country. There are cricketers… During the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, they showed their support. Don’t we deserve even that much,” she requested.

    Vinesh acknowledged she and Bajrang had written open letters and posted films, requesting sportspersons to speak up. “But we don’t know what they are afraid of. I understand that they may be concerned that this could affect their sponsorship and brand endorsement deals. Maybe that’s why they are afraid to associate themselves with athletes who are protesting. But it pains me,” she acknowledged.

    “You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. Abhi kya ho gaya? (What has happened now?) Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too? (Unke daal mein bhi kaala hai, yeh maan ke chale hum?),” she acknowledged.

    Saying that the responsibility of “cleaning up the system” lies with the nation’s most important athletes, for the advantage of the next period, the two-time World Championship medallist acknowledged the “entire system will collapse if all the athletes sit here in protest” and other people working it “won’t be able to sleep peacefully”.

    “But if the big athletes remain silent, then what’s the point of anything at all? Every sports federation has a problem and many athletes are my friends as well. But there should be no pretensions. I go for their matches, they come for mine, we get a photo clicked together, congratulate each other upon winning a medal, put up nice messages like ‘onwards and upwards’… Athletes need to get out of the social media bubble and express real-world emotions. They should look beyond their personal gains and ask their conscience,” she acknowledged.

    “Log kehte hai wrestlers ka dimaag ghutno mein hota hai (People say wrestlers’ mind is not in the right place). But I’ll say our dil (heart), dimaag (mind)… everything is in the right place. Other athletes need to check where their mind is. Dil toh unke paas hai hi nahi (They don’t have a heart),” she acknowledged.

    She acknowledged that sportspersons who don’t have the “courage” to make themselves heard now should not “congratulate” them within the occasion that they win a medal in future.

    “You put photos, you put brand collaborations… can’t you put one post saying there should be justice for us. That’s all we request,” she acknowledged. “If we don’t deserve their support in these times of struggle then, God willing, if we win a medal tomorrow – and we will work very hard for it – don’t come to congratulate us. Don’t say you had faith in our abilities because you didn’t – that’s why you are doubting us now,” she acknowledged.

    While politicians and khap leaders have made their methodology to the protest web site at Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers have obtained little help from the sporting fraternity.

    On Thursday, former India cricket captain Kapil Dev posted a picture of the three wrestlers on his social media cope with, with a caption: “Will they ever get justice?”

    A day sooner than, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra expressed solidarity. “My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. We must ensure that this issue is handled properly with athletes’ concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently,” he posted.

    Responding to his message, Olympians Jwala Gutta and Shiva Keshavan, too, extended their help. But others have not been forthcoming so far.

    India’s prime wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar inside the Capital since Sunday, in the hunt for an FIR in opposition to Brij Bhushan. Seven female wrestlers, along with a minor, have filed separate police complaints in opposition to him, accusing him of sexual harassment and felony intimidation.

    Stating that the Delhi Police was not registering an FIR, the protesting wrestlers have moved the Supreme Court, which is listening to the matter.

  • Wrestlers vs WFI: Identity of complainants of sexual harassment has been leaked by police, says Vinesh Phogat

    By Amit Bhardwaj: Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday alleged that the id of complainants of sexual harassment had been leaked by the Police and some Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officers are threatening female wrestlers and pressuring them to withdraw sexual harassment complaints in opposition to WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    Wrestlers harking back to Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia claimed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief is now using strong-arm methods to interrupt the “victims” by issuing threats and offering bribes.

    The police, in accordance with Vinesh, have leaked the names of the victims to Brij Bhushan, who’s using Haryana Wrestling Association secretary fundamental Rakesh and coach Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi to threaten the households of the women wrestlers who’ve filed complaints in opposition to the WFI chief. Phogat moreover alleged that the wrestlers have made complaints to the DCW nevertheless no movement has been taken.

    “Identity of the complainants of sexual harassment has been leaked by the police. They are issuing threats. They are trying to break the victims and that’s why the delay in lodging an FIR. We have raised the issue with NCW,” Vinesh suggested India Today.

    “Need to protect the identity of the complainants. The Complainants of sexual Harassment receiving threat calls, they are being lured, being offered money. All methods being used to break them,” Phogat added.

    “We thought the sports ministry will give us justice but it did not happen. But we have faith in judiciary. If the Supreme Court takes everything related to this case under its wings and we are sure that no game will be played, only then we will leave the protest site.

    Would they be content if the police file an FIR and begins an investigation?

    Vinesh said, “There are plenty of and lots of of FIRs in opposition to many people. But it is a question of justice. Only when are constructive that we’ll not be tricked, we’re going to end the protest, in every other case we’re proper right here.”

    Top wrestlers from the country, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh, and Sakshi Malik, returned to the Jantar Mantar protest site on Sunday and demanded that a FIR be filed against the WFI chief.

    They also want the government to make public the findings of the Oversight Committee’s report, which looked into allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.

    Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Delhi government and others in response to a petition filed by seven female wrestlers alleging non-registration of a FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Birj Bhushan, stating that these are “extreme allegations” that require its consideration.

    The Supreme Court initially thought that the women wrestlers’ petition may very well be heard on Friday. However, after listening to some arguments from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who launched up the subject, it was decided to take up the case immediately.

    The bench acknowledged that normally, a therapy to technique police is obtainable beneath Section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (regulation enforcement officers’ vitality to analysis cognisable circumstances).

  • Yogeshwar Dutt’s presence in Oversight committee untenable: Bajrang Punia

    The group of India’s high wrestlers levelling allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan have misplaced religion in an Oversight Committee member, grappler Yogeshwar Dutt, after his coach Ramphal Mann was purportedly heard giving particulars of the listening to throughout a sting operation by a information channel.

    Mann purportedly stated that Yogeshwar advised him that there was no irrefutable proof in regards to the allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to the WFI president. In the almost seven-minute lengthy video, the coach additionally provides particulars of what two alleged victims stated earlier than the Oversight Committee and attributed the data he needed to London Olympics bronze-medal winner Yogeshwar.

    Following the telecast of the sting operation video by ABP information, Tokyo Olympics bronze-medal winner Bajrang Punia, one of many wrestlers who protested at Jantar Mantar final month demanding the removing of Brij Bhushan as WFI president, stated that Yogeshwar being a member of the committee was untenable now.

    “Yogeshwar should resign on his own from the Oversight Committee or he should be removed from the committee. He has no moral right to remain a member of the committee since it is clear that he does not believe in confidentiality. This is a sensitive matter related to women wrestlers. Each one of them has shown courage to come forward and talk. But instead of trying to understand the sensitive nature of the issue, Yogeshwar seems to be keen to belittle them. We have lost trust in him because he won’t be on the side of justice and will not view things objectively,” Bajrang advised The Indian Express on Tuesday.

    It is learnt that WFI president Brij Bhushan appeared earlier than the Oversight Committee for the primary time on Tuesday. Brij Bhushan met the committee members on the Sports Authority of India workplace in New Delhi. Yogeshwar too was current, an official stated.

    Bajrang stated that everybody who was a part of the listening to, together with the Oversight Committee members, needed to give an enterprise of confidentiality.

    ‘Should leave committee on his own’

    “We have spoken to sports ministry officials about us being extremely unhappy with what Yogeshwar is doing. We have emailed the committee members and have also tweeted. He should have left the committee on his own when it came to light that he was telling his coach everything that happens during hearings. It is about the security of wrestlers, we all know how powerful the WFI president is,” Bajrang added.

    In January, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment, Vinesh Phogat, a two-time World Championships medallist had stated, “Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also the WFI president. Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment.”

    Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, World Championship bronze medalist Sarita Mor and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi Dahiya alongwith Vinesh and Bajrang had been amongst these to protest at Jantar Mantar in January.

    Requirement of motion in opposition to a member of oversight committee for leaking delicate data to the press. @ianuragthakur pic.twitter.com/cUPDDUXhaf

    — Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) February 26, 2023

    On Sunday Vinesh had tweeted, “It has come to my recent awareness that a sportsperson member of the Oversight Committee has been allegedly leaking contents of the complaint of sexual harassment while reading certain media reports since yesterday. Being a sportsperson it is extremely disheartening to see a fellow sports-person member of the Oversight Committee has behaved so recklessly. Their attitude towards women is evident from such behaviour…This member has been acting against the interest of women from day one. The lack of empathy and insensitivity displayed by this sportsperson was shocking during the proceedings of the committee.”

    The ‘media reports’ Vinesh refers to is the sting operation through which Yogeshwar’s coach Mann is the main target.

    Mann is purportedly heard saying that there was no proof associated to the sexual harassment allegations.

    “On February 12 Yogeshwar met me, I asked him what happened. He said Bajrang had brought the girls and said they would give proof. Meeting happened from morning to evening, and each person was called individually.”

    According to Mann, one woman advised the committee that Brij Bhushan had requested for her quantity however there was no dialog over the telephone between them. Another woman stated that she didn’t really feel comfy about Brij Bhushan putting his hand on her shoulder after she returned after profitable a medal.

    Olympic medallist-boxer Mary Kom heads the Oversight committee which additionally contains former badminton participant and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, former CEO of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme Rajesh Rajagopalan, and former Sports Authority of India govt director (groups) Radhica Sreeman.

    Absence of high wrestlers exhibits

    With a few of the nation’s high wrestlers skipping the UWW Ranking Series occasions and different worldwide competitions until motion is taken in opposition to WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan, India received simply 4 medals within the first two occasions. In Alexandria, Egypt. Ankit Gulia received a bronze in Greco Roman (72 kg), whereas Reetika, an Asian Under-23 Champion, received a freestyle bronze (72kg). In the primary rating collection of the yr in Zagreb, Croatia, the medal tally was two. Aman Sehrawat received a bronze within the 57 kg whereas Greco-Roman wrestler Ashu received one other bronze within the 67 kg class.

  • Vinesh Phogat desires oversight committee to be disbanded, appeals for brand new committee to listen to wrestlers’ views

    Vinesh Phogat desires the Sports Ministry-appointed oversight committee to be disbanded and a brand new committee to be shaped to listen to the views of the wrestlers towards the WFI chief.

    New Delhi ,UPDATED: Jan 24, 2023 18:09 IST

    Vinesh Phogat in the course of the protest towards the WFI chief. (PTI Photo)

    By India Today Web Desk: The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat expressed her disappointment with the Sports Ministry-appointed oversight committee, urging it to be disbanded.

    Phogat appealed for a brand new committee to be shaped to listen to and embrace the views of wrestlers, because the athletes have been “not happy” with the oversight committee.

    “We want this oversight committee to be disbanded and a new committee to be formed taking our views and choice of ours (members) to be included in the committee. This is a matter of females and is very serious… we hope the ministry will listen to us,” Phogat to India Today.

    The Sports Ministry appointed an oversight committee on January 23. Indian boxing nice M C Mary Kom was named to chair the five-member committee to investigate into the allegations towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

    The committee was additionally handed the responsibility to look into the day-to-day administration of the federation. The oversight committee additionally consists of Olympic medallist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton participant and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Crd (Retd) Rajesh Rajagopalan and former SAI govt director – groups – Radhica Sreeman.

    The Sports Ministry has given 4 weeks to the committee to finish its enquiry. The determination was taken after wrestlers ended their protest following a second spherical of talks with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday.

    “With an effort to safeguard the interest of athletes, following complaints by wrestlers of sexual harassment by the President, other officials and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India, and to promote good governance in WFI following allegations of financial mismanagement and arbitrariness by athletes, the Ministry of Sports has formed an Oversight Committee to enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, levelled by prominent sportspersons,” a SAI assertion learn.

    “The Oversight Committee will also undertake the day-to-day administration of WFI, during the course of the enquiry. The oversight committee will complete the enquiry within 4 weeks.

    “Further, the Ministry has instructed the manager committee of WFI to abstain from managing the day-to-day actions of the federation, with rapid impact, till additional communication,” the assertion added.

    Published On:

    Jan 24, 2023

  • Courageous Vinesh on the forefront of combat towards wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment

    It has been an unprecedented face-off in Indian sports activities – by no means ever had Olympic medallists made sexual harassment allegations towards a federation chief, who can also be a ruling get together MP. Late on Friday, Round One of this battle appeared to have gone the gamers’ manner.

    India’s prime grapplers referred to as off their stir towards the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Friday following an hours-long assembly with sports activities minister Anurag Thakur, which ended with the federal government asking Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the federation’s beleaguered chief, to step apart pending inquiry. On Saturday, the Director General of Sports Authority of India (SAI) additionally suspended WFI’s assistant secretary Vinod Tomar due to “reports about the functioning of WFI”.

    At the helm of this gamers’ motion has been Vinesh Phogat, a double World Championship medallist. She has been the face of the protest.

    Besides being on the forefront of conferences and negotiations with the sports activities minister and SAI officers, Vinesh was the primary to allege that Singh and a few coaches had sexually harassed junior wrestlers.

    Those on the circuit aren’t stunned that it’s Vinesh who has taken on the highly effective wrestling officialdom. Headstrong and impulsive, the 28-year-old has for lengthy been Indian wrestling’s outspoken insurgent, whose profession has seen as many lows as highs. She has endured darkish moments off the mat in addition to shone within the highlight on it.

    To the world, the title ‘Phogat’ would immediately imply Geeta and Babita, the sisters whose lives impressed the Aamir Khan-starrer Bollywood hit Dangal. Their cousin Vinesh, who wasn’t within the Dangal script, has spent a major a part of her profession making an attempt to step out of their shadows.

    Vinesh was 8 when she misplaced her father Rajpal. In 2004, her mom Premlata was identified with most cancers. She would journey 75km to Rohtak for chemotherapy and Vinesh, alongside together with her sister Priyanka, needed to develop up sooner than their friends, and juggle coaching, lecturers and chores.

    “I was young, but I knew that my mother was troubled,” Vinesh had informed The Indian Express in an earlier interview. “She would try to hide her pain and cry when she thought nobody was around. I did the same. Her sacrifices were for us and I realised then that all I could do to repay that was to stay on my path and do my best.”

    While that developed a way of accountability in Vinesh, it was her uncle – Geeta-Babita’s father Mahavir – who adopted her and later launched her to wrestling. Vinesh would develop right into a world-class wrestler and obtain way more than her two superstar cousins.

    Inspired by her mom, who raised her two youngsters alone in a patriarchal setting, Vinesh developed right into a resolute grappler. She mixed stamina and velocity to emerge as one of many few challengers on the earth to halt the Japanese juggernaut. She has many firsts to her title: the primary Indian lady to be ranked world primary, the primary Indian lady to win two world championship medals, and the primary Indian lady to win an Asian Games gold medal.

    ‘Caring and emotional’

    Off the mat, those that know her effectively describe Vinesh, an avid reader who as soon as maintained a diary during which she famous down her each emotion, as a ‘caring and emotional person’. At the identical time, they are saying she is somebody who’ll ‘not hesitate to call a spade a spade’.

    Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik sit on a dharna towards the Wrestling Federation of India in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Express picture by Praveen Khanna)

    Poornima Raman, a physiotherapist who has labored intently with Vinesh, says individuals have ‘a lot of misconceptions about her’. “She can come across as pretty intimidating. But quite contrarily, she is one of the kindest and caring people I have worked with,” stated Raman. “She can be stubborn, has very strong opinions and always speaks her mind. But that’s probably because she doesn’t have this concept of lying.”

    It hasn’t all the time been clean crusing. While for many athletes, the Olympics are the last word highlights of their careers, for Vinesh, they’ve led to nothing however heartbreaks and miseries.

    In Rio, it was the bodily ache brought on by twisting her knee throughout a bout. In Tokyo, it was the ‘mental torture’ that undid her. Her marketing campaign on the 2020 Olympics ended within the first spherical and he or she was subsequently sanctioned by Singh for perceived ‘indiscipline’. In an emotional piece for The Indian Express, Vinesh narrated how she was left damaged after unfair criticism of her efficiency. Raman stated it was one of many hardest phases of Vinesh’s profession.

    “I slept once since I reached home. I slept for two hours on the flight and sometimes in the Village. There, I would walk alone and drink coffee. I was alone. When the sun would rise, I felt sleepy,” she had written. “I don’t know when I will return (to the mat). Maybe I won’t. I feel I was better off with that broken leg. I had something to correct. Now my body is not broken, but I’m truly broken.”

    Subsequently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Vinesh for a private assembly and final September, after she gained a bronze medal on the World Championships, she met Home Minister Amit Shah.

    But the scars of the Tokyo Olympics have nonetheless not been erased. In a letter to PT Usha, the monitor and discipline legend who turned the primary lady president of the Indian Olympic Association final month, the wrestlers stated Vinesh was ‘mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI President after she missed out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo.’

    “She almost contemplated suicide,” the letter said. “It has taken a lot of courage for us wrestlers to come together and protest against the WFI president.”

    Courage is one thing that Vinesh in addition to the opposite wrestlers will want in abundance of their combat towards the highly effective officers.

    Ministry suspends WFI assistant secy

    A day after it requested Singh to step apart, the sports activities ministry on Saturday suspended the federation’s assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, a detailed aide of the beleaguered chief who has been accused of sexual harassment and monetary mismanagement by the nation’s prime wrestlers. The ministry additionally cancelled the continued Ranking Tournament in Singh’s stronghold Gonda. “The Ministry has directed WFI to return the entry fees charged to participants for the ongoing event,” the ministry stated in an announcement.