The Congress Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ought to break his “silence” on the sexual exploitation allegations against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and asked why resignations of those involved have not come in till now.
The opposition party’s attack came after star wrestler Vinesh Phogat Wednesday alleged that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Singh has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years, a charge vehemently rejected by the sports administrator.
In a tweet in Hindi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Our players are the pride of the country. They bring laurels to the country by their performance at the world level.” The gamers have made critical allegations of exploitation in opposition to the Wrestling Federation of India and its president and their voices ought to be heard, she mentioned.
Congress basic secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh mentioned, “Kuldeep Sengar, Chinmayanand, father-son duo Vinod Arya and Pulkit Arya… and now this new case! The record of BJP leaders committing atrocities in opposition to girls is infinite.” “Mr PM, was ‘Beti Bachao’ a warning to save daughters from BJP leaders? India is waiting for an answer,” he mentioned on Twitter.
Why are all those that oppress girls, members of the BJP, he requested.
“Yesterday, you mentioned that a greater atmosphere has been created for sports activities previously eight years. Is this the ‘better environment’, by which even our daughters who convey laurels to the nation are unsafe?” Ramesh said.
Inaugurating a sports event in Uttar Pradesh via video conferencing on Wednesday, Modi said, “Many talents remained away from the field. But in the last eight years, the country has left behind this old thinking. Work has been done to create a better environment for sports, so now more children and youths are looking at sports as a career option.” Addressing a press convention on the AICC headquarters right here, Congress’ media division head Pawan Khera mentioned Singh’s resignation ought to have come on Wednesday itself.
“That ought to have been step one. Had it been every other delicate authorities, it ought to have occurred instantly. Then, the prime minister ought to difficulty an announcement and restore the boldness of those households. Our households are conservative, it’s a troublesome option to ship kids to coach, battle for the nation and win medals,” he said.
“The sports minister (Anurag Thakur) should speak out. The prime minister should speak out, there should be resignations, and heads should roll immediately. This should have happened long back, 24 hours is too long a time. The silence is more shocking than what has happened,” Khera mentioned.
What is the hesitation in getting Singh’s resignation and in talking out, he requested.
Khera alleged that there have been loads of examples the place the BJP had given safety to these committing atrocities on girls.
Phogat, who has been at loggerheads with the WFI because the Tokyo Olympic Games, additionally claimed that a number of coaches on the nationwide camp in Lucknow have additionally exploited girls wrestlers, including that there are a number of girls on the camp who approached the wrestlers on the behest of the WFI president.
The 28-year-old, nonetheless, clarified that she by no means confronted such exploitation however claimed that “one sufferer” was current on the ‘dharna’ they started at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Rio Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, world championship Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha, Amit Dhankar and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were among 30 wrestlers who assembled at the famous protest site.
Singh, 66, was elected unopposed as president of WFI for a third consecutive term in February 2019. Taking note of the allegations, the sports ministry has sought an explanation from WFI and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations made.
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