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Business News/ News / India/  Wrestlers Protest: Khap 'mahapanchayat' at UP's Muzaffarnagar in support of wrestlers
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Wrestlers Protest: Khap 'mahapanchayat' at UP's Muzaffarnagar in support of wrestlers

Wrestlers Protest LIVE: Indian Olympic medalist wrestlers Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat are protesting against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. They have accused the WFI chief of sexual harassment and are demanding his arrest

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait with Khap Panchayat members during a 'mahapanchayat' organised over the ongoing protest by wrestlers (PTI)Premium
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait with Khap Panchayat members during a 'mahapanchayat' organised over the ongoing protest by wrestlers (PTI)

Wrestlers Protest LIVE: Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray, sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, urging him to address the legitimate grievances of the women wrestlers who have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, PTI reported.

"The motto of Khelo India would remain a dream if we allow a picture to be painted of the government that is indifferent to their grievances. I request you to look into this matter and bring out a solution," Raj Thackeray said.

 Indian wrestlers, whose protesting sites have been cleared by the police following their detention on Sunday, are now contemplating their next move. The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they have accused of sexually exploiting women grapplers. Yesterday Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi posted a video from her Twitter handle, clarifying that they have not given up. Whereas the Delhi Police categorically said that wrestlers will not be allowed to protest again at Jantar Mantar. On Sunday, the Delhi Police detained ace Indian Olympians like Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, saying the sportsperson violated law and order. The action by Delhi Police on wrestlers has received a barrage of criticism from people from the sports fraternity including Javeline champion Neeraj Chopra and former shooter Abhinav Bindra. Besides, opposition parties have also slammed the Centre for not taking action against Bhushan who is also a BJP MP from Kaiserganj.

Check all the latest updates on wrestlers' protests at Mint's LIVE blog:

01 Jun 2023, 10:26:10 PM IST

Handling issue sensitively, players are important to us: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

"We are handling this issue (wrestlers protest) very sensitively. Whatever the players demanded, we are doing all those things. Necessary action will be also taken once Delhi police file the chargesheet. To all those politicising this issue, I would like to say that the law is equal for everyone and all the players are important to us," said Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in Mumbai during a function in Mumbai

01 Jun 2023, 09:52:31 PM IST

Will fight till protesting wrestlers get justice: Mamata Banerjee 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday came out in support of protesting wrestlers who have been seeking arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh, stating that she will fight till they get justice.

Taking to the streets of Kolkata, for a second day, Banerjee described the wrestlers’ struggle as "a struggle for life, justice, and independence'.

“Will fight till protesting wrestlers get justice,"the chief minister said.

"I will request the wrestlers to continue their movement. This fight is for life, for independence, for humanitarian justice," Banerjee said while participating in a protest supporting the wrestlers who have been demonstrating sexual harassment of women grapplers and demanding the arrest of the WFI chief.

01 Jun 2023, 08:54:20 PM IST

Farmers back wrestlers: Mahapanchayat in UP, protests in Haryana, Punjab

Farmer outfits held a ‘khap mahapanchayat’ in Uttar Pradesh and a series of protests in Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, showing solidarity with wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment.

At the congregation in Soram village in UP’s Muzaffarnagar, Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said they planned to meet President Droupadi Murmu and will hold another mahapanchayat in Haryana’s Kurukshetra on Friday to discuss the next steps in the agitation.

In Delhi, Trinamool Congress MPs walked out of a parliamentary panel meeting after their demand to discuss the safety of women athletes was rejected by its chairman and BJP MP Vivek Thakur, according to party MP Sushmita Dev.

01 Jun 2023, 08:10:22 PM IST

Confident that protesting wrestlers will get justice: Maneka Gandhi

BJP MP Maneka Gandhi on Thursday said she was confident that the protesting wrestlers, who are seeking the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, will get justice.

Gandhi was here to attend an event "Let’s Co-exist" -- to celebrate the spirit of living and thriving on a shared planet.

"I am sure that they will get justice at the end of it," the Lok Sabha MP told reporters when asked about her stand on the wrestlers' issue.

The wrestlers are on a protest demanding the arrest of Singh over sexual harassment charges.

01 Jun 2023, 07:10:29 PM IST

Khap Mahapanchayat: Delegation will meet Prez Murmu to seek justice for wrestlers

A Khap Mahapanchayat held here on Thursday decided that a delegation would meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek justice for wrestlers demanding action against BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh accused of sexually abusing female grapplers, farmer leader Rakesh Tikiat said.

The mahapanchayat was called by Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Naresh Tikait on Wednesday, a day after he and other farmer leaders managed to dissuade some of India's top wrestlers from throwing their medals in the Ganga river to protest alleged police inaction against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief.

Naresh Tikait is the head of the Balyan Khap. The mahapanchayat was attended by khap leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi. (PTI)

01 Jun 2023, 05:56:49 PM IST

Parliamentary panel demands immediate government intervention in wrestlers' issue

The Standing Committee members of Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports met on Thursday to discuss the issues of wrestlers and the opposition leaders demanded immediate government intervention in the matter.

Talking to ANI, a member of the committee said, "We have raised the issues before the chairman of the committee and sought immediate intervention from the government."

According to a member of the committee, the members of the opposition parties in the meeting demanded that the chairman of the committee should write a letter to the government in connection with the forceful removal of protesting wrestlers from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. (ANI)

01 Jun 2023, 05:30:16 PM IST

Protesting wrestlers are changing their demands: WFI chief

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment allegations, on Thursday said the women wrestlers are changing their demands since they started their protest against him, asserting that the charges are already being probed by the Delhi Police.

"Police is probing the matter. Let it complete. Whatever comes in it, I will act accordingly," Singh, who is also the BJP MP, said at a press conference here.

"I request you with folded hands that unnecessary questions should not be asked to me," he told the reporters. (PTI)

01 Jun 2023, 04:49:15 PM IST

Samyukt Kisan Morcha holds demonstrations in Punjab, Haryana

Farmers, under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, on Thursday held demonstrations at many places in Punjab and Haryana in support of the protesting wrestlers seeking the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.

The farmers also submitted memorandums to deputy commissioners and sub divisional magistrates, demanding the arrest of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had given a call for nationwide demonstrations on Thursday in support of the wrestlers issue. It had given the protest call to "secure the democratic right to protest by the Indian wrestlers" and all other sections of society and to “demand the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh". (PTI)

01 Jun 2023, 04:15:35 PM IST

'Doesn't sound real': Kapil Sibal on WFI chief's 'will hang myself if charges proved'

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday took a swipe at Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's remarks that he will hang himself even if a single allegation is proved against him, saying it does not sound real.

The swipe by Sibal, a senior advocate who represented the protesting wrestlers in the Supreme Court, came a day after Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges levelled by female wrestlers, said all wrestlers are like his children and he will not blame them as his blood and sweat have also gone into their success. (PTI)

01 Jun 2023, 04:01:01 PM IST

TMC stages walk out from parliamentary meeting 

TMC MPs on Thursday walked out of a parliamentary standing committee meeting after their demand to discuss safegaurds provided for women sports persons by various sports federations in the light of the allegations made by protesting wrestlers was deemed to be "outside the meeting's agenda" by its chairman BJP MP Vivek Thakur, sources said.

TMC MPs Sushmita Dev and Asit Kumar Mal staged the walkout after the party raised the issue of safety of women sports persons at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, and asked if internal complaints committees were formed at different sports federations and if they were active, they said.

01 Jun 2023, 03:16:12 PM IST

Khap 'mahapanchayat' begins in UP's Muzaffarnagar in support of wrestlers protest 

A khap "mahapanchayat" was convened in Soram village with the purpose of addressing the ongoing protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The event on Thursday was organised by leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). 

A mahapanchayat was organized by BKU leader Naresh Tikait on Wednesday, following a successful intervention by him and other farmer leaders to dissuade a group of esteemed Indian wrestlers from immersing their medals into the Ganga river as a form of protest against the WFI chief's alleged sexual harassment cases and the perceived lack of action by the police.

01 Jun 2023, 02:11:56 PM IST

Centre is handling issue of wrestlers sensitively: Sports Minister Thakur

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that the Centre was sensitively handling the issue of protesting wrestlers, PTI reported.

"The government is handling the issue of protesting wrestlers sensitively. The wrestlers asked for an FIR which has been filed by the Delhi police. A committee of administrators has been set up by the Wrestling Federation of India as they demanded that its office-bearers shouldn't be allowed to function," Thakur said.

01 Jun 2023, 01:51:55 PM IST

Security tightened at Delhi borders ahead of SKM protest

Security has been tightened, extra police personnel have been deployed and we have also set up extra pickets at Delhi's borders, PTI reported.

"We want to ensure that law and order are maintained and no untoward incident takes place. This has been done as a precautionary measure," a senior police officer told PTI.

Vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring states are being checked at the borders, he said.

01 Jun 2023, 01:40:48 PM IST

Who are the wrestlers leading the protests?

Freestyle wrestler Malik, 30, became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in the sport when she took bronze at the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil. Malik was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, by former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2017, Bloomberg reported.

She also won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, last year and at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Doha in 2015. Malik works for JSW Sports Excellence, a unit of Indian conglomerate JSW Group.

Vinesh Phogat, 28, won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian Games, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to take the top medal at both tournaments.

Bajrang Punia, 29, is a freestyle wrestler. He won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and has been a medalist four times at the World Wrestling Championships.

01 Jun 2023, 01:39:57 PM IST

'POCSO and immediate arrest apply to all accused other than Singh,' Kapil Sibal slams BJP

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday slammed the government over the issue of allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh, and asked whether POCSO and immediate arrest apply to all accused other than Singh because he belongs to the BJP, as reported by PTI.

The attack by Sibal, a senior advocate who represented the protesting wrestlers in the Supreme Court, came a day after the matter escalated as the wrestlers reached Haridwar on the banks of the Ganga, threatening to immerse their World and Olympic medals in the holy river but stopped short of doing so after being convinced by farmer leaders who sought five days to address their grievances.

01 Jun 2023, 12:49:03 PM IST

DYFI, SFI to hold nationwide protest from June 4 in support of wrestlers' protest

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India (SFI) jointly declared a nationwide protest in support of the wrestler's protest from June 4, ANI reported.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations and are demanding his arrest.

01 Jun 2023, 12:46:24 PM IST

Don't take any step that could undermine sports: Anurag Thakur

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday asked protesting wrestlers not to take any step that could undermine sports or hurt players and said appropriate action will be taken once the probe into their allegations is completed, a day after the grapplers threatened to immerse their medals in river Ganga, PTI reported.

He also said that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will hold elections and a new body will be elected soon.

01 Jun 2023, 12:45:30 PM IST

Security tightened at Delhi borders ahead of demonstrations called by SKM

Vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring states are being checked at the borders, Delhi Police officials told PTI.

The SKM, an umbrella body of farmers' unions, had on Tuesday called for nationwide protests on June 1 in support of wrestlers who have been demanding the arrest of Singh for allegedly sexually harassing female grapplers, including a minor.

01 Jun 2023, 12:03:25 PM IST

BJP MP Pritam Munde urges swift attention to women's complaints

Amid the protest by wrestlers demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, BJP MP Pritam Munde has said cognisance should be taken of a complaint made by any woman, PTI reported.

Munde said, "I, not as a member of Parliament, but as a woman say that if such a complaint comes from any woman, then its cognisance should be taken. It should be verified." After verification, authorities should decide whether it is proper or improper, she said. "If cognisance is not taken, then it is not welcomed in democracy," the Lok Sabha member from Beed said.

01 Jun 2023, 11:54:04 AM IST

Farmers' Union SKM Calls for Nationwide Protests on June 1

The SKM, an umbrella body of farmers' unions, had on Tuesday called for nationwide protests on June 1 in support of wrestlers who have been demanding the arrest of Singh for allegedly sexually harassing female grapplers, including a minor, PTI reported.

In a statement, the SKM had said its call for demonstrations was aimed at securing the democratic right to protest by the Indian wrestlers and all other sections of society, and to demand the arrest of Singh, who is also a BJP MP.

01 Jun 2023, 11:39:50 AM IST

Wrestlers are protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23

The wrestlers, who had been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23 seeking the arrest of Singh, were removed from the site by the Delhi Police on Sunday after they tried to march to the new Parliament building that was inaugurated the same day, PTI reported.

01 Jun 2023, 11:38:52 AM IST

Security tightened at Delhi borders ahead of demonstrations called by SKM

Security was tightened at Delhi's border points on Thursday in view of a call for nationwide demonstrations given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in support of wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, PTI reported.

Security personnel are maintaining strict vigil at the border points and extra pickets have been put up to prevent any untoward incident, Delhi Police officials said.

"Security has been tightened, extra police personnel have been deployed and we have also set up extra pickets at Delhi's borders. We want to ensure that law and order is maintained and no untoward incident takes place. This has been done as a precautionary measure," a senior police officer said.

01 Jun 2023, 11:01:31 AM IST

'Motto of Khelo India would remain a dream if..' Thackeray writes to PM Modi

Chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray, sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, urging him to address the legitimate grievances of the women wrestlers who have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, PTI reported.

"The motto of Khelo India would remain a dream if we allow a picture to be painted of the government that is indifferent to their grievances. I request you to look into this matter and bring out a solution," Raj Thackeray said.

01 Jun 2023, 10:33:18 AM IST

Raj Thackeray writes to PM Modi on women wrestlers

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to address the "just demands" of the women wrestlers who have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment.

As reported by PTI, his party was "fully sympathetic" about the demands of the wrestlers who are seeking action against Singh, head of the Wrestling Federation of India, Thackeray said.

01 Jun 2023, 10:15:13 AM IST

DCW issues summon to top cop after identity of minor wrestler revealed

In the letter to DCP, New Delhi, DCP Chairperson Maliwal wrote, "Now, a video is being circulated on social media wherein a person claiming to be the uncle of the minor survivor has revealed the identity of the survivor which is a criminal offence as per the POCSO Act."

She further stated that the accused Brij Bhushan is highly influential and has not been arrested to date.

"The accused in the matter is highly influential and has not been arrested to date. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, considering the sensitivity of the case, and the direct threat to the survivors, especially the minor one, had directed the police to provide them security," summon read.

01 Jun 2023, 09:47:58 AM IST

Police clear protest site at Jantar Mantar

In what could bring about a forceful end to the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi police on Sunday detained Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia for violation of law and order after they breached the security cordon while trying to move towards the new Parliament building for a planned women's ‘Mahapanchayat’, PTI reported.

Immediately after the wrestlers were pushed into buses and taken to different locations, the police officers began clearing the protest site by removing the cots, mattresses, coolers, fans and the tarpaulin ceiling along with other belongings of the grapplers.

01 Jun 2023, 09:42:34 AM IST

Haryana Congress Legislature Party passes resolution condemning 'atrocities on wrestlers'

The Haryana Congress Legislature party on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the "atrocities" on protesting wrestlers by the BJP government, it said in a statement.

The resolution was passed in a meeting held at the Congress headquarters here.

01 Jun 2023, 09:36:26 AM IST

Farmers' meeting to discuss wrestlers' protest today. Top updates

Bhartiya Kisan Union will organize a ‘maha panchayat’ in Muzaffarnagar's Soram village today, Thursday, June 1, to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges.

Read more here

01 Jun 2023, 09:14:45 AM IST

Ayodhya sadhus to join Brij Bhushan Singh in rally; calls for amending POSCO law

Posters featuring Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, wearing his recognizable orange turban, have emerged in Ayodhya, encouraging people to join a "Jan Chetna Maharally" on June 5th.

As per a report by The Print, the rally, organized by seers, saints, and sages, aims to advocate for a dilution of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO) law. Brij Bhushan Singh, who himself has faced allegations of sexual harassment from women wrestlers, is leading the mobilization efforts across Uttar Pradesh.

01 Jun 2023, 08:58:20 AM IST

Haryana Congress Legislature Party passes resolution, condemns 'atrocities on wrestlers'

The Haryana Congress Legislative party issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing its strong disapproval of the actions taken by the BJP government and condemning the alleged mistreatment of protesting wrestlers, as reported by PTI.

The resolution was adopted during a gathering held at the Congress headquarters.

01 Jun 2023, 08:22:53 AM IST

Mamata Banerjee hits streets in protest against alleged 'manhandling' of wrestlers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staged a street protest in New Delhi on Wednesday, expressing her outrage over the reported mistreatment of wrestlers who were allegedly manhandled while attempting to march towards the newly inaugurated Parliament building at Jantar Mantar.

As reported by PTI, during the protest, she demanded the immediate arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, who has been accused of sexually harassing multiple female wrestlers.

01 Jun 2023, 08:10:00 AM IST

'Does POCSO, immediate arrest not apply to Brij Bhushan as votes matter not women wrestlers',' asks Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal strongly criticized the government regarding the allegations of sexual harassment made by female wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

As reported by ANI, Sibal questioned whether the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and immediate arrest apply to all accused individuals, or if they are only applicable to Singh because he belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

01 Jun 2023, 07:23:40 AM IST

Investigation underway on various aspects of complaint": Delhi Police

Delhi Police on Wednesday said that investigation is underway into the matter after a police complaint was registered by the protesting wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of sexually harassing female wrestlers, reported ANI.

Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa said that a special investigation team is investigating the matter on various aspects and it is difficult to comment on when the enquiry will be completed into this.

01 Jun 2023, 07:08:30 AM IST

Don't take any step that could undermine sports, let probe be completed: Anurag Thakur

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur addressed the wrestlers' protest on Wednesday, urging them to refrain from any actions that could harm the spirit of sports or negatively impact fellow athletes.

As reported by PTI, he assured that once the investigation into their allegations is concluded, appropriate measures will be taken. This statement comes in response to the wrestlers' threat of discarding their medals in the river Ganga.

 Additionally, Thakur announced that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will conduct elections, leading to the formation of a new governing body in the near future.

01 Jun 2023, 06:23:32 AM IST

DCW issues summon to top cop after identity of minor wrestler revealed

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal on Wednesday issued a summon to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi in a case pertaining to the wrestlers-WFI case where an identity of a minor wrestler who has accused Brij Bhushan of harassing her was revealed on social media.

In the letter to DCP, New Delhi, DCP Chairperson Maliwal wrote, "Now, a video is being circulated on social media wherein a person claiming to be the uncle of the minor survivor has revealed the identity of the survivor which is a criminal offence as per the POCSO Act."

31 May 2023, 09:49:47 PM IST

After UWW, International Olympic Committee voices support for protesting wrestlers

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the manner in which the protesting Indian wrestlers were being treated by Delhi Police over the weekend, terming it "very disturbing" in a strongly-worded statement.

The IOC's reaction follows the United World Wrestling's (UWW) criticism of the detention of the grapplers during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in which the sport's world body threatened to suspend the national federation if it fails to hold its election within the stipulated time.

31 May 2023, 06:53:57 PM IST

Wrestlers take ‘silence vow’, return home from Haridwar

All protesting wrestlers returned to their homes in Haryana from haridwar, where the protesters had decided to immerse their medals in Ganges river. 

The protesting wrestlers' medal was taken away by farm leader Naresh Tiakit, who sought a five day deadline and thwarted their attempt to float the hard-earned medals. 

The  "shell-shocked" protesting wrestlers, except Sakshi Malik, returned to their homes in Haryana, and did not talk to media waiting for them in Haridwar because of a ‘silence vow’ they had taken. 

"They were crying since morning. It is not easy to throw away even a medal won at district level and they were ready to throw away those big international medals. They were shell-shocked, not a word was coming out of their mouths," said a member of the protesting group.

"They had taken a silence vow for Tuesday and that's why they did not speak with anyone in Haridwar. All have returned to their respective homes but Sakshi is still in Delhi," he added.

31 May 2023, 05:55:12 PM IST

Mamata takes to streets to protest 'manhandling' of wrestlers in Delhi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to the streets in state capital Kolkata to protest against the alleged manhandling of wrestlers at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar after they tried to march towards the new Parliament building following its inauguration three days ago.

Holding a placard with the message, "We Want Justice", written on it, Banerjee participated in a rally which started from Hazra Road in the southern part of the city to Rabindra Sadan.

31 May 2023, 04:56:06 PM IST

Anurag Thakur asks protesting wrestlers ‘not to undermine sport’

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday asked protesting wrestlers not to take any step that would undermine sports, a day after the grapplers threatened to immerse their medals in river Ganga at Haridwar.

Thakur also urged the wrestlers to be patient and trust the investigation into the allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India's former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

"I urge the wrestlers to be patient till the outcome of the investigation. I also urge them not to take any step that would undermine sports," the minister said while replying to queries from reporters.

31 May 2023, 04:48:50 PM IST

DCW seeks case against man for revealing identity of minor complainant against WFI chief

The Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal sent a notice to police seeking to file a case against a man who allegedly revealed the identity of a minor wrestler who has filed a sexual harassment complaint against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

"A man posing as the uncle of a minor girl who had filed a complaint against Brij Bhushan is revealing the identity of the girl by showing her documents to the press. I am giving notice to the police. There should be an FIR against this man under the POCSO Act. Are they letting Brij Bhushan roam free so that the victim can be pressured," Maliwal tweeted in Hindi.

31 May 2023, 04:04:28 PM IST

Delhi police clarifies ‘no evidence against Brij Bhushan’ report is ‘wrong’

The Delhi Police clarified that investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is still going on. They further added that the reports stating the ‘no evidence’ claim were wrong. 

"Several media channels are running a story that the Delhi Police hasn't found sufficient evidence in the cases registered against the Ex-President of WFI and a final report in the matter is due to be submitted before the concerned Court. It is to clarify that this news is "wrong" and the investigation into this sensitive case is under progress with all sensitivity," the Delhi Police clarified.

31 May 2023, 03:20:58 PM IST

I will hang myself if proven guilty: Brij Bhushan after Delhi police says no evidence against BJP MP

WFI Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, "If a single allegation against me is proven, I will hang myself," the WFI chief said while addressing a public rally in UP's Barabanki.

Singh further took a jibe at wrestlers for announcing to immerse their medals in Ganga as a mark of their protest against him.

"It's been four months and they want me to be hanged. The government is not hanging me that's why they gathered at Haridwar on Tuesday and threatened to immerse their medals in the Ganga. This will not bring the sentence that they want for me, it is all emotional drama," he said.

"If you (wrestlers) have any evidence, present it in the Court and I am ready to accept any punishment," Singh said.

"Delhi police is investigating the matter. I would be arrested if there's any truth to the charges (levelled by the wrestlers)," he added.

31 May 2023, 02:32:04 PM IST

If need be, I will even give up my medal, boxer Vijender Singh says

I am with women wrestlers. If need be, I will even give up my medal, Vijender Singh says

31 May 2023, 01:30:08 PM IST

Not enough evidence against Brij Bhushan

Sufficient evidence has not been found yet to arrest WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh and there is no supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

Till now, we have not found sufficient evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh. Within 15 days we'll be filing our report in court. It could be in the form of chargesheet or final report. There is no supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim, Top Sources in Delhi Police told news agency ANI.

They further added, “The sections of POCSO added in FIR has less than Seven years imprisonment, so Investigating Officer cannot proceed with arrest as demanded by the accused. Neither he is influencing the witness nor he is destroying the evidence". Read here

31 May 2023, 01:05:26 PM IST

Kumble dismayed by manhandling of wrestlers

The legendary Anil Kumble on Tuesday said he is "dismayed" by the treatment meted out to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar where they were manhandled and detained by police for trying to march towards the new Parliament building and hold a 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'.

Unprecedented scenes of police dragging Olympic and world championships medallists, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, were witnessed on Sunday when the wrestlers and their supporters breached the security cordon during their march to protest the inaction against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.

The wrestlers had called for a 'Mahila Mahapanchayat' at the new Parliament building at a time when it was being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

31 May 2023, 12:17:30 PM IST

'Does POCSO, immediate arrest not apply to Brij Bhushan': Kapil Sibal slams govt

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slammed the Centre over the issue of allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh.

In a tweet he asked whether POCSO and immediate arrest apply only to all accused other than Singh because as belongs to the BJP.

The attack by Sibal, a senior advocate who represented the protesting wrestlers in the Supreme Court, came a day after the matter escalated the wrestlers' effort to immerse their hard-earned medals in Ganges river at Haridwar. It was however stopped after farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened and sought a five-day time from the protesting grapplers. The wrestlers had reached Haridwar to ‘throw away’ their medals, however, almost an hour later Tikait reached the spot and asked them not to throw away their medals.

In a tweet, Sibal said, "Brij Bhushan Singh: Does application of POCSO and immediate arrest after 164 statements apply to all accused other than Brij Bhushan because he: 1) Belongs to BJP 2) iconic women wrestlers don't matter; votes matter! 3) Government doesn't care. "Is this my new India," Sibal asked. Read here

31 May 2023, 11:16:43 AM IST

Wrestlers protest: Tikait announces 'mahapanchayat' in Muzaffarnagar on Thursday

BKU leader Naresh Tikait said a 'mahapanchayat' will be held in Muzaffarnagar's Soram village on Thursday to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges.

Tikait, the head of Balyan khap, on Tuesday night said the matter will be discussed in detail in the mahapanchayat.

On a drama-filled Tuesday, some of India's best wrestlers accompanied by hundreds of supporters gathered on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, threatening to immerse their World and Olympic medals in the holy river, but refrained after being convinced by Khap and farmer leaders who sought five days to address their grievances.

31 May 2023, 10:49:33 AM IST

Wrestlers protest: Heavy security deployed near India Gate area

Heavy security deployed near India Gate area. Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police along with Riot Control Vehicle present at the spot.

31 May 2023, 10:21:44 AM IST

Wrestlers protest: Nationwide protest tomorrow 

Farmers' outfit Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Tuesday called for nationwide demonstrations on June 1 in support of wrestlers who have been demanding the arrest of BJP MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually harassing women grapplers, as reported by the news agency PTI. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, in a statement, said it has given the call for the nationwide agitation "to secure the democratic right to protest by the Indian wrestlers" and all other sections of society and to "demand the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh".

31 May 2023, 09:29:46 AM IST

Wrestlers protest: Meenakshi Lekhi flees when asked for comment

Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday was seen fleeing as she was asked to comment on the issue of the protesting wrestlers who went to Haridwar to immerse their medals

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