Victims are being pressurised: Protesting Wrestlers

June 10, 2023 21:12

The WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is using his influence to put sexual harassment victims under pressure and forcing them to change their statements, the protesting wrestlers alleged on Saturday, threatening to resume their stir if a strong action is not taken against him by June 15.

The government had assured the wrestlers that a charge-sheet will be filed against the outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Singh by June 15, following which they had halted their protest.

The wrestlers called a 'Panchayat' at Chhotu Ram Dharamshaala in Sonepat district, inviting khap, farmers and members from women organisation, who have supported them in their "fight for justice".

The wresters apprised their supporters of the discussion they had with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday.

Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik said efforts are being made to break the victims.

"It's proved, the statements were recorded under section 161 and 164 and it changed. We can't understand," Sakshi said referring to withdrawal of sexual harassment charges by a minor, who is one of the seven complainants in the case,

"It is clear that father of the minor was under pressure. Pressure is being built. For how long we will fight then," she said.

"Bajrang is getting calls, bik jao, toot jao (take bribe, end the protest). Wrong narratives are being set (by media). It breaks our hearts," she said.

"That is why we had said first arrest him and then investigate. If he is in police custody, he can't pressurise. Otherwise, one by one, victims will break. Till he is out, an atmosphere of terror will remain."

"We will not compete in Asian Games until a proper resolution comes out in this case. You can't understand the mental agony we are going through everyday," said Sakshi

Bajrang Punia, one of the key members of the protest, while speaking during the panchayat, insisted that no politics is involved in their stir against the WFI chief.

Later speaking to media, he said,"We had called this Panchayat to inform everyone the discussion we had. If a strong action is not taken by June 15, we will resume our protest." -- PTI

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