Congress Leader Priyanka Joins Wrestler’s Protest, Gandhi Slams PM Modi Says “I Don’t Have Expectations From Him”

“The nation is standing with them and I am very proud that these wrestlers have raised their voices against such an issue,” says Gandhi

Written by Alina Khan April 29, 2023

Priyanka Gandhi joins wrestler's protest at Jantar Mantar

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar today i.e. on Saturday and expressed solidarity with them. She also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not being worried about the wrestlers’ justice.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi meets wrestlers today

According to the officials, Congress leader Gandhi, who is scheduled to take part in a series of poll campaign events in Karnataka later in the day, reached Jantar Mantar in the morning and interacted with the wrestlers.

During the meet, the Congress general secretary was seen hearing out ace women wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat.

Earlier this week, Priyanka Gandhi voiced support for the protesting wrestlers and slammed the government, asking whether it wants to save the culprits in the matter.

Hitting out at the prime minister, she said, “I don’t have any expectations from the PM, because if he is worried about these wrestlers, then why has he not talked to them or met them yet? The nation is standing with them and I am very proud that these wrestlers have raised their voices against such an issue.”

#WATCH | "I don't have any expectations from the PM, because if he is worried about these wrestlers, then why has he not talked to them or met them yet. Why the govt is trying to save him (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh…," says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi pic.twitter.com/XLDpIruQHv

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2023

She said that the pleas of the sportspersons, who enhance the country’s honour, were being ignored, and asserted that “when the arrogance of a party and its leaders” is sky high, then such voices are crushed.

Speaking to the media, Priyanka Gandhi demanded that the copy of FIRs filed on Friday must be shared with the wrestlers.

“When these girls get medals, everyone tweets, saying they are our country’s pride but now when they are sitting on the road and seeking to be heard, no one is ready to listen to them. If FIRs have been filed, their copy should be shared with them,” she said.

Gandhi calls for WFI chief’s resignation

Calling for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief’s ouster from the post, Priyanka Gandhi said, “See, there are serious allegations against this person, he should first resign and be removed from the post. Till he is in that post, he will continue to exert pressure and keep destroying people’s careers.”

“If that person is there on a post through which he can destroy the careers of wrestlers and exert pressure, then what is the meaning of FIRs and investigation,” she said.

They should remove him from the post and take away his powers, she asserted.

“I don’t have any expectations from the prime minister, because if he had been concerned about these wrestlers, then he would have at least called them and spoken with them. He had called them for tea when they won medals. So call them, talk to them, they are our girls,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

Moreover, this week, several Congress leaders including Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and Udit Raj also joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar and extended their solidarity with them.

Also Read: India Be Aware! Scorching Heat Wave Might Hit This Summer, Can Even Hurt Economy: Report

Two FIRs were lodged against the WFI chief

With the chorus of support for the protesting wrestlers growing, Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs (The First Information Reports against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers.

The FIRs were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on Friday.

While the first FIR relates to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second was related to outraging modesty.

After Mehta’s submission, the country’s top wrestlers, who have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh, rejoiced “the first step towards victory” but said they, will continue their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds.