BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) who is accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers, today said a rally in Ayodhya in his support had been "postponed for a few days while the police are investigating the charges" against him.
A group of seers here announced a rally in support of Singh. The seers said they will also protest against the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which they claim "has many loopholes and defective clauses".
Circle Officer (Ayodhya) SP Gautam said in view of other programmes scheduled on the World Environment Day on June 5, the permission sought by BJP councillor Chamela Devi on behalf of Singh has been denied.
In a post on Facebook, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh again claimed he was being "falsely accused" by political opponents and their parties.
"Served as a member of the Lok Sabha for the last 28 years with your support. I have tried to unite people of all castes, communities and religions while in power and opposition. These are the reasons my political opponents and their parties have falsely accused me," the BJP MP wrote.
"In the present situation, some political parties are trying to dissolve social harmony by promoting provincialism, regionalism and ethnic conflict by rallies at different places. The purpose is that the decision to hold a saints conference in Ayodhya on 5th June to consider the evil spreading across the society but now while police are investigating the charges and respecting the serious instructions of the Supreme Court the 'Jan Chetna Maharali, Let's go to Ayodhya' program has been postponed for a few days," he said.
On Tuesday, the wrestlers had travelled to Haridwar after announcing that they will throw their medals in the Ganga there in protest. But they were persuaded by khap and farmer leaders not to carry out the threat. The leaders sought five days' time from them to address their grievances.
The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs based on the wrestlers’ complaints. One of them relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
(With inputs from PTI)
