In support of wrestlers – uttamhindu.com

Wrestling Federation of India Members of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team have come out in a joint statement in support of wrestlers Dinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and their teammates, who are demanding the arrest of outgoing president Brij Bhushan on charges of alleged sexual harassment. Deeply distressed to see the pictures of the misbehavior with the champion wrestlers. We are deeply concerned that they are thinking of throwing their hard-won medals into the Ganges. He further wrote, ‘Behind these medals are years of effort, sacrifice, dedication and hard work. He is not only his pride but the pride of the country. We request them not to take a hasty decision in this matter and we hope that their grievances will be heard and resolved. Let the law take its course. Kapil said, ‘I will not say anything personally. The entire 1983 team stands by the statement that we have issued. Earlier former cricketers like Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa and Irfan Pathan also supported the wrestlers.

Rakesh Tikait, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), told reporters after the Khap Mahapanchayat meeting in Kurukshetra, Haryana, in support of the wrestlers, that the WFI chief should be arrested. He said that he is giving time till June 9 to the government to act on his demand. Tikait claimed that if the demand is not met, the movement will be intensified by holding mahapanchayats across the country. The farmer leader said that if the demand is not met, the wrestlers will again return to protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Significantly, representatives of various Khaps and farmers’ organizations had reached ‘Jat Dharamshala’ from different places including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Friday.
The allegations made by 6 female wrestlers are very serious

Wrestler 1 : I was in the restaurant. Brijbhushan was there. He called me to him. As soon as he reached, he suddenly touched me in a wrong way. Then put his hand in many places on the body. Did this 3-4 times. He was touching my feet with his feet. When I protested, they said that I am checking your breath. After this he started touching me again. They kept on pressuring for physical relationship.

Wrestler 2 : I was on the mat during practice. Brij Bhushan came. Pulled off my T-shirt. Then started touching me. Touched different places. After that I went to the Federation office for some work. My brother was also with me. Brij Bhushan called in the room. Also said that tell the brothers to stay outside. Brij Bhushan closed the door as soon as I went inside. Then pulled me towards him. I kept protesting.

Wrestler 3 : I didn’t have a phone. Brij Bhushan talked to his parents through his phone. Brijbhushan was on his bed. After the end of the phone call, he called me near and suddenly hugged me. I could not understand anything. I objected. Tempted to help in career to make physical relationship.

Wrestler 4 : Brijbhushan used to watch for an opportunity to tamper. The fear was so much that we did not leave the hotel room alone. Used to go in groups for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Once Brijbhushan called me. Suddenly he touched me in the wrong place. I shook his hand and ran away.

Wrestler 5 : We stood in line to take photos. I was in the last line. Brijbhushan came and stood near me. Then started touching my body from behind from top to bottom. I was taken aback. When I tried to move away, he grabbed me by the shoulder.

Wrestler 6 : Brijbhushan put his hand on my shoulder on the pretext of taking a picture. Then tried to get closer. He repeatedly tried to catch me. I went a little far to escape. Then threatened me. Said- ‘Are you becoming more smart, don’t you want to play any further competition?’

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur says that everyone wants the wrestlers to get justice, but this is possible only after the completion of the legal process. Talking to reporters, Anurag Thakur said, ‘The government also wants a fair investigation. We all want justice to be done but for this we will have to wait for the completion of the legal process. He said the Delhi Police is probing the case, which was registered following the report of a government-appointed committee on allegations of sexual harassment against BJP MP Brij Bhushan. Asked if the action was being delayed because the accused was a BJP MP, he said, “There is no question of partiality.” We are all in favor of early completion of the investigation.

Apart from sports lovers, every person who believes in law also demands that wrestlers get justice, but everyone is worried about the delay in the legal process. The importance of delayed justice also diminishes. As a result of the slow-moving policy adopted by the government, both the BJP and the Modi government are seen standing in the dock, the customs and policies of both the BJP and the government are also being pointed out. In view of the allegation made by the wrestlers, the government should clarify the situation by speeding up the judicial process. The longer the delay in getting justice to the wrestlers, the more the government’s image and credibility will be weakened. Keeping the above facts in mind, the government should ensure that the wrestlers get justice soon by expediting the justice process.

– Irwin Khanna (Chief Editor, Dainik Uttam Hindu)