Several wrestlers, who have brought pride and acclaim to the nation by achieving success in international competitions, have gathered at Jantar Mantar to stage a protest. They are demanding the government to release the findings of an oversight panel's investigation into the accusations of sexual harassment levied against Brij Bhushan.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, requesting him to visit Jantar Mantar and attentively listen to the concerns of the women wrestlers who are protesting there. Sibal is a senior advocate who has represented the wrestlers in the Supreme Court. His request comes in the wake of the 100th episode of Modi's "Mann ki Baat" radio programme.
Sibal took to Twitter to congratulate the Prime Minister on his 100th "Mann ki Baat" episode and requested him to listen to the "mann ki baat" of the women wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar. He believes that this step would demonstrate that the Prime Minister is willing to comprehend their anguish.
On Friday, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India chief, following allegations of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers, including a minor. The first FIR was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and pertains to the allegations made by the minor wrestler. The second FIR is related to outraging the modesty of women.
The wrestlers, who have won accolades for India in various international competitions, have been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding that the government disclose the findings of the oversight panel's investigation into the sexual harassment charges against Singh. The protesters have made it clear that they will not vacate the protest site until Singh is arrested. They resumed their sit-in last week and demanded that the panel's findings be made public.
