Wrestlers’ Protest: Bajrang Punia Says 'All Parties Welcome' As Delhi Police Seeks Probe Committee's Report

Olympic medalist and renowned wrestler Bajrang Punia has said that this time, the wrestlers are open to welcome any political party that joins their protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia asks parties to join protest this time.

Source : PTI

WFI Protest: Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia on Monday said that, unlike the last time, the wrestlers are now open to political parties joining their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Punia told ANI that they are not affiliated with any party and welcome all parties - be it BJP, Congress, AAP or any other- to join their cause. He added it is the flag of the country that is held high when the wrestlers win media and not of any party.

"We play and win for the country, not for any party. Not only one party but everyone congratulates us on our win. So, this time, we welcome all parties and countrymen to join our protest," Punia added.

#WATCH | Delhi: "This time, all parties are welcome to join our protest whether it is BJP, Congress, AAP or any other party.....we're not affiliated with any party...": Bajrang Punia, Olympic medalist on wrestlers' protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh pic.twitter.com/g2i8T0TaAS

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2023

Talking about the protest, he said, "If today we don't fight for the respect of our daughters and sisters, then we won't be able to fight against anyone ever."

Speaking to PTI, Sakshi Malik said, "We are here since last night, there is no support from anyone. But there is hope, we are sitting to fight for justice."

VIDEO | "We are here since last night, there is no support from anyone. But there is hope, we are sitting to fight for justice," says Sakshi Malik as wrestlers protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the issue of sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. pic.twitter.com/4wVkxF6Q4o

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 24, 2023

Meanwhile, Delhi Police said that it has sought a report from the investigation committee into the matter that was set up by the Sports Ministry, reported ANI.

The top wrestlers of India took the protest path over sexual harassment allegations against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday. Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and other grapplers returned to the protest site at Jantar Manta in Delhi demanding the government to make public the findings of the probe panel set up to investigate the allegations levelled against Singh.

Sunday’s protest was resumed after January, when the wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya, had raised the issue, but ended their three-day long sit-in after talks with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who had announced a five-member oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, to look into the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Sunday said they have received seven complaints and are conducting an inquiry into the matter. According to a senior police officer, some of the complaints pertain to Delhi and some from outside the city.  "We are conducting an inquiry. No FIR has been registered yet," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

The police statement comes after the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) said it has received a complaint from the women wrestlers who alleged that they had filed a written complaint to the city police two days back, but no FIR had not been registered so far.