As the country's top wrestlers protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh entered the second day on Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar asserted that this is a grave issue and such incidents demotivate female sportspersons.
Speaking to media persons, Khattar said, "This is a serious issue and we have noted every allegation of our wrestlers. Incidents like this demotivate our sportspersons and I believe the Sports Ministry will take cognizance of this issue and act accordingly. For us, the security of our female sportspersons is very important."
He further asserted that the Haryana government did not receive any complaints regarding the issue earlier. He said that he was informed about the protest staged by wrestlers on Wednesday.
Khattar further said they will “fully take care of our sportspersons, our daughters”. “The issue has come to our notice and the Union government’s sports minister has taken note of it. The Wrestling Federation of India has been asked to give its reply in the next 72 hours. All the issues have been taken into serious consideration. I am sure the Union government and sports ministry shall definitely take cognisance of it. All these issues are very serious. Especially for the sportspersons for whom we do lots of work to encourage them, such things break their morale. We shall not allow their morale to get shattered,” Khattar said.
WRESTLERS GAIN SUPPORT FROM KHAPS, FAMILIES, OPPN PARTIES
A day after Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik accused WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, Haryana’s Phogat khap on Thursday came out in support of the Olympian wrestlers. Phogat and Malik, along with other wrestlers, sat on a dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In a meeting of Sarv-Khap Panchayat in Charkhi Dadri of the state Bhiwani district, the khaps announced they will go to Delhi to support these wrestlers. The Sarv-Khap also gave an ultimatum to the government and asked it to either redress the issues raised by the wrestlers or face consequences.
Family members of the wrestlers also said they will go to Delhi to support their children in this struggle. Renowned wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat, who is in Delhi, supported her cousin Vinesh Phogat. While talking to the media after meeting the wrestlers, Babita said, “I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today”.
Babita’s father Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Phogat, who condemned the WFI’s president’s questionable role, and brother Harvinder are also in Delhi.
Former Haryana chief minister and leader of the opposition in the state assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda has come out strongly in support of the wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Hooda said it was a matter of great misfortune and shame that our players, the country's pride, have to protest on the streets today. He said the allegations against the officials of the WFI were serious and worrying. “The government should take strict action against the culprits by conducting a fair and transparent investigation,” he added.
Hooda said the sports persons who bring glory to the country were also being forced to sit on dharna. “Serious allegations have been levelled against the WFI and its president by women wrestlers. The WFI should be dissolved and all the accused should be brought under investigation,” he said.
Moreover, Jannayak Janta Party has also extended support to the wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India in Delhi. On Thursday, JJP Secretary General Digvijay Singh Chautala said that most of the players sitting on protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against Wrestling Federation are from Haryana. Digvijay said that JJP is completely with the players. He said that the Union Sports Ministry has sought 72 hours of time in this serious matter and he is hopeful that justice would be done to the players. Digvijay Chautala said that action should be taken against whoever is guilty in this matter and the sentiments of the players should be respected.