Page 9 - Woman Wrestler

Committee gives May 21 deadline for arrest of Brij Bhushan: Vinesh Phogat

The 31-member committee that is advising the protesting wrestlers on Sunday said if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not arrested by May 21, it will take a "significant decision", even as Vinesh Phogat insisted that their protest has not been hijacked by farmers. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, Khap Maham 24 chief Mehar Singh and Sankyut Kisna Morcha's (non-political) Baldev Singh Sirsa joined the wrestlers on the dias and addressed the media. "Many leaders from Khap panchayat and SKM attended the meeting today. We decided that members from every khap will come to the protest site every day. They will stay here during the day and return by the evening," Tikait said before a huge gathering. "The wrestlers' committee will take care of the protest and we will support the wrestlers from outside. We have scheduled a meeting for May 21. If the government does not offer a resolution, we will devise our next strategy," he added. "If any emergency arises, if the

Wait for probe report: WFI chief appeals to farmer and khap leaders

With the Samyukta Kisan Morcha extending support to the wrestlers' protest against him, Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has urged farmer leaders not to make the "mistake" and instead wait for the outcome of the probe into the allegations of sexual harassment made by the grapplers. Singh, the BJP MP from Kaiserganj, again claimed he was innocent and alleged that he was targeted as he had brought reforms in the selection process for wrestlers. The WFI chief made the remarks in a video posted on social media after the farmers' collective, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), on Saturday announced that it will hold nationwide protests in support of grapplers and demanded the immediate arrest of Singh. A number of SKM leaders and members visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar on Sunday and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers who have been staging a sit-in against Singh since April 23. The Morcha had spearheaded the year-long agitation against the now-repealed

Wrestlers protest: 4 Left women's associations call for pan-India support

Four national Left wing women's organisations have given a joint call to hold nationwide protests for the immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Haryana minister Sandeep Singh over allegations of sexual harassment made by wrestlers. In a statement, the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Coordination POW-PMS-IJM All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) and the All India Agragami Mahila Sanghatan (AIAMS), expressed solidarity with the protesting wrestlers. "Hundreds of protests will be held in different parts of the country. Women will hold meetings in villages, bastis and mohallahs to expose the anti-women' face of the BJP. Lakhs of signatures will be collected which will be sent to the prime minister through district collectors," the statement said. The top grapplers of the country have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here since April 23, demanding that the government make public the findings of an ..

4 women's associations give call for protests in support of wrestlers

Four national women's organisations have given a joint call to hold nationwide protests for the immediate arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Haryana minister Sandeep Singh over allegations of sexual harassment made by wrestlers. In a statement, the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Coordination POW-PMS-IJM All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS) and the All India Agragami Mahila Sanghatan (AIAMS), expressed solidarity with the protesting wrestlers. "Hundreds of protests will be held in different parts of the country. Women will hold meetings in villages, bastis and mohallahs to expose the anti-women' face of the BJP. Lakhs of signatures will be collected which will be sent to the prime minister through district collectors," the statement said. The top grapplers of the country have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here since April 23, demanding that the government make public the findings of an oversight ..

As I said I'm with the wrestler, then I'm with them fully: Anil Vij

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has come out in support of the wrestlers, who are protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the last two weeks

Wrestlers vs WFI chief: Khap leaders hold talks with grapplers in Delhi

In a powerful show of solidarity, representatives from various 'khaps' in Haryana gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Sunday to extend their support to women wrestlers protesting

Samyukta Kisan Morcha to hold nationwide protests in support of wrestlers

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Saturday announced that it will hold nationwide protests in support of grapplers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The outfit also demanded the immediate arrest of Singh. On May 7, several senior leaders of SKM from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, with hundreds of farmers, shall once again visit the protest site at Jantar Mantar and extend support to the protesting wrestlers, the outfit said in a statement. SKM leaders shall also lead deputations to important administrative officers such as the commissioner of police, Delhi, as well as Union home and sports ministers, it said. From May 11-18, an all-India agitation shall be held in all state capitals, district headquarters, and talukas. Public meetings and protest marches shall be held and effigy of Singh and the BJP-led central government shall be burnt, the SKM said. The SKM had spearheaded the year-long agitation against the ...

Waiting for girls' statement to be recorded before DM: Sakshi Malik

Representatives of major khaps from in and around Delhi, Haryana and Tikait's Baliyan Khap have called for a meeting at Jantar Mantar on Sunday

WFI row: Police records statement of 7 women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan

Delhi Police recorded the statements of seven women wrestlers in connection with the cases registered against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, officials said on Friday. On April 28, Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by the women wrestlers against Singh. According to police, one of the cases against him was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), while the other was registered under section 10 of the POCSO Act. An official said they have recorded the statements of the wrestlers and an investigation is underway. The incidents mentioned in the FIRs allegedly took place between 2012 and 2022 at different places, including abroad. The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. A scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers and some police personnel on Wedne

Don't know what's happening: Ganguly's remark on wrestlers' protest

While many have come forward and voiced their concerns, Ganguly said, he would not like to talk on the matter without having complete knowledge

Congress demands court-monitored probe into Jantar Mantar scuffle

The Congress on Thursday slammed the BJP-led central government over a scuffle between the Delhi Police and the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar here and demanded a court-monitored investigation into the entire episode. The opposition party, which has extended support to the protesting sportspersons, also demanded that Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh be removed immediately and arrested as he faces grave charges of sexual harassment, including that of minor. The party urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show "sensitivity" to the protesting grapplers and visit them at Jantar Mantar by stopping his poll campaign. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi condemned the "shameful" behaviour with sportspersons and alleged the ruling party has "never shied away" from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country. "Such behaviour with the sportspersons of the country is shameful. 'Beti Bachao' is just hypocrisy. In fact, the BJP has never shied away

Farmers, students reach Jantar Mantar after appeal for support by wrestlers

A large number of people from different walks of life, including farmers from neighbouring states of Delhi and DU students, reached Jantar Mantar on Thursday and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers protesting there demanding the arrest of WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Many of them raised slogans in support of the wrestlers, a day after a scuffle broke out between the grapplers and Delhi Police personnel. A couple of wrestlers were injured in the ruckus late Wednesday night that started allegedly over putting wooden beds at the protest site. The wrestlers also accused a policeman of manhandling them in a drunken state, but the Delhi Police denied they used force on the protesters. Several videos of the tense situation was circulated on social media and grappler Bajrang Punia at a press conference appealed to farmers and their leaders to reach the protest site Thursday morning to support them. The people who reached Jantar Mantar raised slogans like "Nari Shakti Zindabad",

Protest to continue, verdict not a setback: Wrestlers after SC closes case

Claiming that the Supreme Court's decision to close proceedings on the plea of sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not a setback, the wrestlers on Thursday said they will continue their protest. The wrestlers have been sitting on protest since April 23, demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan alleging that he has sexually harassed seven female grapplers, including one minor. However, the top court on Thursday closed the proceedings on a plea by three women wrestlers, who have levelled sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan, noting that FIRs have been registered and the seven complainants have been provided adequate security. "We respect the Supreme Court order, protest will continue," Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said. "Supreme Court order is not a setback, it did what it could in this matter," she added. The wrestlers further said that they will decide the future course o

Congress asks PM to sack WFI chief after scuffle; Rahul slams hypocrisy

The Congress on Thursday slammed the BJP-led central government over a scuffle between the Delhi Police and the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar here, with Rahul Gandhi condemning such "shameful" behaviour with sportspersons and alleging the ruling party has "never shied away" from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country. The Opposition party also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, against whom the wrestlers are protesting. The party urged the PM to show "sensitivity" to the protesting grapplers by visiting them at Jantar Mantar. Rahul Gandhi in a tweet condemned the manhandling of female wrestlers. "Such behaviour with the players of the country is shameful." "'Beti Bachao' is just hypocrisy. In fact, the BJP has never shied away from committing atrocities on the daughters of the country," Gandhi said in his tweet in Hindi, while sharing a video of the players in which they are seen accus

Scuffle between protesting wrestlers and Delhi cops: What we know so far

The recent demonstration in the national capital comes in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

She is first an athlete, says Bajrang Punia as PT Usha meets wrestlers

Usha had a discussion with the protesting wrestlers and left the protest site without speaking to the media. Later, Bajrang Punia told reporters

IOA President PT Usha meets protesting wrestlers, assures support

Facing criticism from all quarters for being insensitive towards the protesting wrestlers, IOA President PT Usha on Wednesday met them at Jantar Mantar and assured them support for their cause. Former sprinter Usha had come down heavily on the wrestlers for resuming their protest instead of approaching the IOA for their issues. She had said that the wrestlers should have shown some discipline, a comment that brought criticism for her and the IOA. Usha left without speaking with media but Bajrang Punia said she has assured them help. "PT Usha met us and assured her support. She said she is first an athlete and then an administrator. She assured she will help us in getting justice," Bajrang told media. "PT Usha said she was misinterpreted," he added, referring to her comment on wrestlers' lack of discipline.

Security provided to wrestlers who filed complaint against WFI chief

The Delhi Police on Sunday provided security to the female wrestlers including a minor who levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, officials said. The complainants have also been asked to record their statements soon so that further investigation in the case can be carried out, they said. The Supreme Court had directed the Delhi Police to provide security to the grapplers following their complaints against Singh, who has been booked under sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and Section 10 of the POCSO Act in two FIRs. The BJP MP, who has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers and a minor girl, has denied the charges against him. A group of top wrestlers, who first levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Singh in January, had resumed their sit-in last Sunday at the Jantar Mantar here to demand that the findings of the Centre-appointed panel that probed the charg

Put systems in place to deal with players' issues: Athletes' Commission

The Athletes Commission of the IOA has recommended the national Olympic body to put systems in place to deal with issues of the players "with respect and dignity" in the light of the protest by top wrestlers of the country against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association met on Saturday to discuss the ongoing protest by the wrestlers who have made sexual harassment and intimidation charges against Singh. "Six members out of the 10 attended the meeting on Saturday and they have sent recommendations to the IOA," a source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "The Athletes Commission felt that it should play a more active role in representing the voices of the athletes in front of the IOA and put systems in place to deal with the issues of the athletes with respect and dignity." It is learnt that Athletes Commission chairperson and Olympics bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom was not present at the meeting. S

Protest at Jantar Mantar driven by politicians: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by India's top wrestlers, on Sunday claimed the athletes' protest at Jantar Mantar is being driven by the politicians from day one. The country's top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have been protesting since April 23, demanding criminal action against Singh for alleged sexual harassment and intimidation of seven wrestlers including a minor. A FIR has also been filed against the BJP MP. Politicians such as Congress party's Priyanka Gandhi and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary, former Jammu and Kahsmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, Delhi government ministers Atishi Singh and Suarbah Bhardwaj have visited the protest site to extend their support to the athletes in the last few days. "This battle has gone beyond the athletes now as political parties have become part of it. From day one of the protest, I