New Delhi: Top Indian sportsmen have questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s silence over allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers against wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Olympians and Congress leaders Vijender Singh and Krishna Poonia on Friday made their angst clear against the central leadership while the wrestlers’ live-in protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered the third day.
Congress MLA from Rajasthan, Poonia said it was shameful that no probe was carried out into the allegations, even though star wrestler Vinesh Phogat had informed Modi in October 2021.
Poonia said: “When a woman wants to move ahead in life, her biggest fight is with society itself. She comes out of those hardships, works day and night and thinks about winning medals for the country. When she has reached that position, then news comes that the president of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan is a sexual harasser.”
She added: “This is an accusation by a daughter of India whom the PM called his own. Today, she is saying that being born a daughter in this country is a curse. What can be more disturbing than that?”
She also said such incidents discourage youngsters from joining sports and also scare parents.
Poonia said the country hankers for medals, but on the other hand, “Our future… our daughters are subjected to sexual harassment. Will parents want to send their daughters to sports?”
She thanked Vinesh Phogat and other protesting wrestlers for taking up the issue on a larger platform.
Poonia also pointed out there was large public support when athletes won medals, but no help when they were in trouble. “They click photos with us and call us their daughters. But when our daughters are harassed, why does no one stand with them?” she asked.
Olympic medallist Vijender Singh said he had visited Jantar Mantar to lend his support to the wrestlers.
“It is condemnable and shameful that the PM is silent on this for so long. As a son of Haryana, I demand an investigation as soon as possible,” he said.
Congress spokesperson and head of its social media department, Supriya Shrinate, said while Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh must be held accountable, the Prime Minister was equally answerable.
“It’s been over 72 hours and decorated athletes of Indian sports — those who have made the country proud and used to roar like lionesses — are today made to shed tears at Jantar Mantar. The government’s silence on this raises serious questions,” Shrinate said.
Also read: ‘Don of all dons, murderer, wrestling reformer’ — WFI chief & MP Brij Bhushan’s colourful life