The Congress on Saturday struck hard at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tendency to bask in the glory of sports icons when they win medals at international competitions but shut them out when they are in crisis, struggling on the streets for justice.
Asked what expectations she had from the Prime Minister and the sports ministry, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who visited the wrestlers’ protest site at Jantar Mantar in the morning, said: “I have no expectations from the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister was concerned at all, he would have at least heard out these girls. When they return after winning medals at international events, Modi calls them home for tea. Why couldn’t he call them now and listened to them?”
Several wrestlers are protesting alleged sexual harassment by BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The police on Friday lodged FIRs against Singh following a prod from the Supreme Court.
Standing with world-famous wrestlers like Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat, Priyanka said: “These are our children, our girls. What are we doing with them? I can tell you, no matter whether the Prime Minister and the government believe (them) or not, the entire country is with them. The entire country supports these girls while only the Modi government is trying to save that man (Singh) who has been accused of sexual exploitation.”
Asking the government to remove Singh from all posts in the wrestling federation, Priyanka said: “Only God knows why the government is so desperate to save that man. When so many girls, not one, have made the allegations… and these girls have done so much for the country. You can see their personal struggle, their achievements, (they) enhanced India’s prestige in the world. And instead of protecting them, you are protecting the oppressor. What does this say about our country? Can’t we protect our girls?”
The Congress leader visited Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers and other sportspersons have been sitting in protest for seven days.
Asked by a reporter about the possibility of a compromise with the government, wrestler Vinesh Phogat said: “Women have been exploited. The guilty should be punished. There is no scope for compromise.”
Priyanka dismissed the formation of committees, demanding the immediate removal of Singh from all posts and his arrest. “We all tweet and share their pride when they win medals. Today they are sitting on the road and there is nobody to pay heed to their voice. I appeal to the countrymen to come out and support them,” she said.
Priyanka added: "We cannot allow these people to destroy the careers of promising sportswomen."
