Is Brij Bhushan 'So Important For UP....': Sibal Questions PM Modi's 'Silence' On Wrestlers’ Protest

While questioning PM Modi’s "silence" over sexual harassment allegations amid the wrestlers’ protest, Kapil Sibal asked what happened to the Union government's ‘Beti bachao’ slogan.

Kapil Sibal asked if Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the accused in the matter, was so powerful and electorally important in Uttar Pradesh that the BJP finds it difficult to remove him from the party until the investigations are over.

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Kapil Sibal on Saturday asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ‘silent’ over the ongoing Wrestlers’ protest on the sexual harassment allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Sibal questioned if the accused in the matter was so powerful and electorally important in Uttar Pradesh that the BJP finds it difficult to remove him from the party until the investigations are over. His attack on the BJP-led government has come a day after Delhi Police recorded the statements of seven women wrestlers related to the case.

In a tweet, senior advocate Sibal questioned the government and said, “Is he so important for UP elections that he can’t be removed as President of Federation till the investigation is over?”

Brij Bhushan
2 Wrestlers to police :
Allegation:
On pretext of checking breath, touched……

My question :
Is he so important for UP elections that can’t be removed as President of Federation till investigation is over

What about your slogan : beti bachao….

Why PM, HM silent ?

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) May 6, 2023

Sibal questioned the silence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah also and asked the BJP-led Union government, "What about your slogan : beti bachao".

On April 28, Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by the women wrestlers against the WFI Chief.

WFI Protests: Delhi Police Records Statements — What Has Happened So Far

According to police, one of the cases against WFI Chief Singh was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), while the other was registered under section 10 of the POCSO Act.

Many wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding that the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment charges against Singh, reported PTI. 

The wrestlers resumed their sit-in last week and asserted that they would not leave the protest site until Singh is arrested.

Meanwhile, many current and former sportspersons have offered their support to the protesting wrestlers. On Friday, former India captain Sourav Ganguly also addressed the issue and said let wrestlers fight their battle.

According to the video posted by ANI, Ganguly said, “Let them fight their battle. I really don't know what's happening there, I just read in the newspapers. I realised one thing in the sports world, that you don't talk about things which you don't have complete knowledge of. I hope it gets resolved. Wrestlers bring a lot of accolades to the country & hopefully, it will be resolved”.

Earlier, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur requested wrestlers who are protesting against the WFI chief to help Delhi Police finish its investigation into the sexual harassment allegations.

Talking to news agency ANI, Anurag Thakur said: "Regarding the demands raised by wrestlers, they demanded an impartial election which will be held. They demanded the formation of a committee and it was constituted. FIR has been registered by Delhi Police, and Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation. SC has also given its verdict I request the players that their demands are being fulfilled and they should allow the investigation to be completed."

Vinesh Phogat alleged that the players were attacked and abused on Wednesday night. She stated that the policeman was drunk, a claim denied by the Delhi Police.