Yogeshwar Dutt claims wrestlers abused by opposition parties after scuffle at Jantar Mantar

Chandigarh: Former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who is also a member of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) executive committee, on Monday accused the opposition parties of trying to misuse wrestlers and malign the country’s image. Dutt also said that the opposition parties pressurized the wrestlers to break the protocol. “The opposition parties misused the wrestlers and tried to malign the image of the country. The wrestlers demanded registration of an FIR and it has been registered and the police is probing the matter,” Dutt told mediapersons here. ”

Dutt said that the wrestlers were pressurized to break all protocols. “They were wrong as everyone knows about the protocol that must be followed during important events like the inauguration of the new Parliament House tomorrow. In terms of the investigation, the police have already registered complaints, and submitted their report to the committee Hoping to submit.” soon. It is clear that the athletes were forced to violate all protocols,” Dutt said.

#Watch , Former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt on the scuffle between the protestors says, “Opposition parties misused the wrestlers and tried to tarnish the country’s image. pic.twitter.com/vBUjSYWRSR– ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2023

Veteran wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik protested at Jantar Mantar, accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest. Several major opposition parties have extended their support to the wrestlers’ protest.

Delhi Police registers FIR after scuffle

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the organizers of the wrestlers’ protest and their supporters for violating law and order in connection with the scuffle that broke out at Jantar Mantar on Sunday. An FIR was registered at the Parliament Street Police Station.

India’s Olympic medalist wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were on Sunday detained by the Delhi Police as they attempted to march towards the new Parliament building where they had planned to hold a protest.

Delhi Police said that the FIR has been registered under sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), section 3 of the PDPP Act. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suman Nalwa said, “We provided all possible facilities to the wrestlers who were protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last 38 days. But yesterday they violated the law despite all requests. They were detained and released by evening.” given.” in Delhi.

Wrestlers not allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar: Delhi Police

The Delhi Police has also removed the tents of the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar. “Yesterday, the protesters violated the law despite all requests. Hence, the ongoing dharna has been called off. If the wrestlers apply for dharna again in future, they will be allowed. Jantar Mantar at any other suitable place,” Delhi Police said.

On Sunday, protesting wrestlers trying to march towards the new Parliament from their protest site at Jantar Mantar were stopped and taken into custody by the security personnel. The Delhi Police had earlier said that “anti-social elements” would not be allowed to enter the national capital to ensure smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament House, DCP, Sonipat East Gaurav Rajpurohit said.

Wrestlers had announced that they plan to organize a Mahila Mahapanchayat in front of the new Parliament as part of their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan, who has been accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers. Is. Seven women wrestlers have filed a police complaint against him.

India’s legendary wrestler Bajrang Punia on Sunday said that it is unfortunate for our country that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh was present during the inauguration of the new Parliament building on Sunday. “It is unfortunate for our country that the new Parliament building was being inaugurated and one of the accused was present,” Punia said.

He also said that he was the last person to be released after being detained for almost 10 hours. The police had earlier released Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi and Sangeeta. “There is no point in going home until we get justice. For 10 hours we were detained in different police stations. I was the last one to be released,” he said. Earlier, Bajrang Punia had tweeted accusing the Delhi Police of keeping him in custody without committing a crime.

Punia wrote in his tweet, “Till now police has kept me in their custody. Not telling anything. Have I committed any crime? Brijbhushan should have been in jail. Why are we kept in jail.”

Sakshi Malik also took to Twitter to express her disappointment. “Delhi Police takes seven days to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan who sexually assaulted wrestlers and it doesn’t even take seven hours to register an FIR against us for protesting peacefully. Has dictatorship started in this country” The whole world is watching how the government is treating its players,” tweeted Olympic medalist wrestler Sakshi Malik.

The Delhi Police on May 12 filed a status report on an application filed by women wrestlers against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in an alleged offense of sexual assault. The court was also informed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter.

Wrestlers marched from Jantar Mantar to Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in the national capital on May 19, their 25th day of protest against Brij Bhushan. Wrestlers including Punia, Sakshi, Vinesh and others joined the march demanding the arrest of the WFI chief on charges of sexual harassment of athletes. Two separate FIRs were registered on April 28 following the Supreme Court’s notice to the Delhi Police on a petition filed by the wrestlers.

Earlier on April 24, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) would constitute an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections to the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days. To administer the day-to-day affairs of the body including its constitution, selection of athletes and making entries for participation of sportspersons in international events. This committee will function for an interim period till the new executive committee takes over.

Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to protest against the WFI chief, following which Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur constituted an ‘Inspection Committee’ to probe the allegations against WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan. announced. Singh and some coaches. Vinod Tomar, assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, has also been named as an accused in the FIR.

The movement has received support from opposition parties and farmer unions, with many voicing their concerns about the alleged sexual harassment.