Wrestlers' Protest Live: Opposition Using Wrestlers As Weapon, BJP Won't Protect Guilty: West UP Party Chief
Wrestlers' Protest Live: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Wrestler's Protest Live Blog. Please follow this space for all the latest updates on wrestlers protesting against WFI chief.
The government intends the welfare of sportspersons and it is the Opposition that is "using" the protesting wrestlers as a "weapon" against the Centre, BJP's western Uttar Pradesh chief Satyendra Sisodia said, as reported by PTI. He underlined that his party will not work to protect anyone guilty.
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait reiterated his support to wrestlers on Wednesday, within hours of their announcement after meeting Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur that their protest against the wrestling federation chief will be suspended till June 15, as reported by the news agency PTI. Tikait, the spokesperson of the influential Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said the farmers' community would stand by the wrestlers.
The Delhi Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is likely to submit in the court its investigation report in the two cases registered against him by next week, officials said on Wednesday. As part of its investigation so far, the SIT has questioned more than 180 people, the Delhi Police officials said.
Wrestler Sakshi Malik says that athletes would withold all protests till June 15, by when the probe against WFI chief Brij Bhushan will be over. "The Delhi Police will withdraw FIRs filed against wrestlers on May 28," she says.
According to the wrestlers, who met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur today, said they have been assured that the police investigation against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be completed by June 15.
Wrestlers' meeting with Anurag Thakur has ended.
Certainly the issue is heading towards a resolution," says Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan
In favor of wrestling players, a 21-member committee was formed after listening to the suggestions of representatives of about 40 khaps in the Sarva Samaj Khap Mahapanchayat being held in Balali village of Charkhi Dadri, Haryana.
The committee will narrate the decisions taken in the Khap Panchayat in a short while.
Vinesh Phogat is not attending the meeting with other wrestlers currently underway at Anurag Thakur's residence. Steadfast on Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's arrest, Phogat is said to not be satisfied with the demands put forth in the meeting, sources told ABP News. She had also not attended the Saturday meeting of grapplers with Union home minister Amit Shah.
Congress accuses the government of trying to "suppress the voices" of female wrestlers who have leveled sexual harassment allegations. It will have to pay a heavy price for "protecting" BJP MP as nation is watching, the party says.
Farmers' body Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait says, "resolution can only be found after talks."
As grapplers' meeting with Anurag Thakur is underway, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda says, "We will wait for the outcome but our stand remains very clear, we are with our daughters in their fight for justice."
Wrestlers meeting with Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur is underway at his residence in Delhi.
Background
Wrestlers' Protest Live: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Wrestler's Protest Live Blog. Please follow this space for all the latest updates on wrestlers protesting against WFI chief. The stalemate between Centre and protesting wrestlers continue as the grapplers are steadfast on their demand for probe against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh into allegations of sexual harrasment. The protestors have put their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar on hold to devise their next plan of action.
On Tuesday, the star wresters leading the protest, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with her husband Satyawart Kadian arrived at Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur's residence on the latter's invitation to discuss the issues.
"The government is willing to have a discussion with the wrestlers on their issues. I have once again invited the wrestlers for the same," Thakur said in a late-night tweet.
While the WFI chief and BJP MP, Singh was also said to meet Thakur the same, it was no clarity as to when he might meet him.
On Saturday, the grapplers met with Union home minister Amit Shah. "They shared their concern with the Home Minister. The meeting was long and he listened to everything. But koi decision nhi hua abhi tak (no decision has been reached so far)," a source close to the wrestlers told news agency IANS.
Meanwhile, the farmers' body, Bhartiya Kisan Union, which gave a call for protest on May 9 called it off following the meeting with Amit Shah and Bajrang Punia told the media that they were asked by the government not to talk about their late-night meeting with the Union minister.
On Wednesday, the Delhi Police recorded statements of associates and workers of Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at his home in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda in connection with the charges of sexual harassment against him by wrestlers.
They also said the girl whose statement was the basis of a case being registered against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has recorded a fresh statement under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section 164.
- - - - - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - - - - -