Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met with Indian wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Saturday at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Priyanka Gandhi arrived at Jantar Mantar in the morning and was seen interacting with top women wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat before heading to a series of election campaigns in Karnataka later in the day.
The Delhi Police filed two FIRs against Singh on Friday, alleging sexual harassment by seven female wrestlers. Demanding that the police produce a copy of the FIR, Priyanka Gandhi stated that she has no ‘expectations’ from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has yet to respond to the protests and allegations leveled against BJP leader Singh. “…if he had been concerned about these wrestlers, he would have spoken to them.” When they won medals, he invited them to tea. “Talk to them, they’re our girls,” she added.
“No one is aware of what is contained in the FIR that has been filed.” Why aren’t they showing it? We all tweet and feel proud when these wrestlers win medals, but today they are sitting on the side of the road, awaiting justice. All of these female wrestlers have worked extremely hard to reach this point. And I’m not sure why the government is rescuing him (Brij Singh).” Gandhi asked, lashing out at the government.
Priyanka Gandhi also called for Singh’s removal to prevent further “career destruction.” The meeting comes just days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chastised the government for ‘ignoring’ the wrestlers’ demands and questioned whether the government was siding with the accused.
Priyanka Gandhi claimed in a tweet on Wednesday that a party’s and its leaders’ “arrogance” is crushing India’s “voices of pride.” The remarks by the Congress general secretary came after the country’s top wrestlers intensified their protest against Singh on Tuesday, declaring that they will continue the agitation until Singh is apprehended.
Gandhi expressed his support for the protesting wrestlers, saying that athletes should be honored and that “their victory is our victory.”
“Women’s victories are more significant than men’s.” She is crying as they sit on the road next to Parliament. Nothing is being done to address their long-standing complaint about exploitation. Let us rally behind our sisters. It is a matter of national honor,” Gandhi said in a Hindi tweet.
“These girls with strong arms and pure hearts believed the government when it said there would be an investigation.” However, the investigation did not take place. The issue of punishment was never raised. “Does the government want to save the perpetrators?” she inquired further.
