WFI sexual harassment row: BJP senior leader Birender Singh, Haryana minister Ranjit Chautala extend support

Senior BJP leader Birender Singh told The Indian Express: “There should be an impartial probe that satisfies the agitating sportspersons. It may be from any agency but the probe must be at the level of the wrestlers’ satisfaction which also ensures that truth comes out. The participation of women in wrestling is not very old in our country. So, there should be every effort to encourage them to excel in this field that was earlier considered a domain of men only.”

He added that there should be say of sportspersons in the federations meant for different sports events as currently there is monopoly of big politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats in these bodies. So there is an urgent need to review the formation of federations in the country.

Ranjit Chautala, who is an independent MLA supporting the Manohar Lal Khattar government, added that a person who faces such allegations should not defend himself and should offer his resignation.

The son of former Deputy PM Devi Lal added, “Lal Bahadur Shastri had tendered his resignation over a (train) accident (in 1956). I had resigned from the Haryana cabinet along with six other ministers when a firing had taken place in Meham (in 1990) in which eight people had died. The truth should come to the public early and I feel it should not be lingering on. The confidence of the people should be won.”

Meanwhile, The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said representatives of 360 villages in Delhi, including MLAs and councillors, will visit Jantar Mantar Wednesday to express solidarity with the wrestlers.

AAP’s Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai said the wrestlers who brought fame for the country have been braving adverse weather conditions. He accused the BJP of maligning the protesting wrestlers.

“They (BJP leaders) are trying to malign the movement. They (wrestlers) were not allowed to put up tents. They were not allowed to install a microphone system. The whole nation is watching. People are supporting them over social media and they are also reaching Jantar Mantar,” Rai said.

“On Wednesday, representatives of 360 villages, including councillors and MLAs, will visit Jantar Mantar at 11 am to support the protesting wrestlers. A strategy for the movement will also be chalked out. The voices of these players will reach every village,” the AAP leader said.

Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan had earlier claimed that the athletes’ protest at Jantar Mantar is being driven by politicians from day one. “It is clear that these athletes are being used by Congress and other opposition parties. It’s evident since the beginning that their motive is politics, not (my) resignation,” Singh had told reporters on Sunday.