Priyanka Gandhi Meets Protesting Wrestlers, Demands WFI Chief Brij Bhushan's Ousting

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the protesting wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Gandhi expressed solidarity with the wrestlers and called for the removal of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The Congress general secretary has accused the government of "protecting" Singh as there has been no dialogue from anyone from the government for the wrestlers who renewed their protests again this month.

Priyanka Gandhi could be seen interacting with ace women wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

Gandhi demanded a copy of the two FIRs that are said to be filed on Friday by the Delhi Police against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers. While 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 modesty.

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 said.

Calling for the WFI chief's 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 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 said.

Gandhi suggested that WFI should remove Bhashan from the post and take away his powers.

Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi voiced support for the protesting wrestlers and slammed the government, asking whether it wants to save the culprits in the matter. "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 said.

The Congress general secretary had also said the pleas of the sportspersons, who enhance the country's honour, were being ignored, and asserted that "when the arrogance of a party and its leaders" is sky high, then such voices are crushed.

Congress leaders such as Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj also joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar earlier this week to express solidarity with them.

(With PTI inputs)