Wrestlers' Protest Highlights: 'Surely there will be a solution,' Rajnath Singh on stir against Brij Bhushan

While the wrestlers' protest is garnering more political attention from the Opposition, BJP top brass is urging calmness at least until the police probe is complete. Delhi police, however, have refused to share any updates while the probe is underway. Embattled WFI chief Brij Bhushan has remained defiant, demanding proof and will hold a mega rally on June 5. He has received support from the seers of Ayodhya who are quickly positioning themselves against the farmers who have come out in support of the wrestlers. Thank you for following the updates on the wrestlers' protest with us, and stay tuned as DH brings you the latest on this situation!

Address `just demands' of women wrestlers, they need your sympathy: Raj Thackeray writes to Modi

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to address the "just demands" of the women wrestlers who have accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. His party was "fully sympathetic" about the demands of the wrestlers who are seeking action against Singh, head of the Wrestling Federation of India, Thackeray said.(PTI)

Treatment of Indian wrestlers was very disturbing: IOC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the manner in which the protesting Indian wrestlers were being treated by Delhi Police over the weekend, terming it "very disturbing" in a strongly-worded statement.

The IOC's reaction follows the United World Wrestling's (UWW) criticism of the detention of the grapplers during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in which the sport's world body threatened to suspend the national federation if it fails to hold its election within the stipulated time.(PTI)

Former India footballer Mehtab joins Mamata's protest march, extends support to wrestlers

Showing solidarity with the aggrievedwrestlers, former India midfielder Mehtab Hossain on Wednesday joined a protest march in the city led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.(PTI)

'Surely there will be a solution,' Rajnath Singh on stir against Brij Bhushan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh - part of the BJP top brass- also commented on the wrestlers' protest against party MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. He assured that there would be a 'solution' and that an 'investigation' was underway.

BJP has mastered art of misusing religion and nationalism to provide cover to rapists: Mehbooba Mufti

Among the many Opposition voices taking potshots at the BJP over the wrestlers' protest, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not hold back either, saying "BJP has mastered the art of misusing religion and nationalism to provide cover to rapists. I should know. During my tenure as CM, BJP ministers held a rally holding Indian flags supporting Kathua rapists. Against all odds, I ensured culprits were jailed and those ministers were sacked."

She was reacting to reports about plans by Ayodhya seers to hold a rally in support of outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges by femalewrestlers.

Can't comment on probe time frame or evidence: Delhi police on investigating Brij Bhushan

After flip-flops on their stand in the Brij Bhushan investigation, the Dehli police toed a much more cautious line.

Wrestlers return to their homes, did not speak in Haridwar due to 'silence vow'

The "shell-shocked" protesting wrestlers, except Sakshi Malik, have returned to their homes in Haryana, and did not speak with the waiting media in Haridwar due to a silence vow, a member of the protest group said on Wednesday.(PTI)

Watch: 'We are proud of our wrestlers,' Mamata says at rally

Mamata Banerjee takes to streets, protesting 'manhandling' of women wrestlers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday took to the streets here to protest against the alleged manhandling of wrestlers at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar after they tried to march towards the new Parliament building following its inauguration three days ago.

Holding a placard with the message, "We Want Justice", written on it, Banerjee participated in a rally which started from Hazra Road in the southern part of the city to Rabindra Sadan.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Sunday condemned the detention of wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, asserting that "democracy lies in tolerance but autocratic forces thrive on intolerance and quelling of dissent".(PTI)

'Mothers will stop sending their daughters for sports after this...,' says boxer-turned-political Vijender Singh

'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' now 'Beti BJP ke netaon se bachao': Cong slams govt over wrestlers issue

The Congress on Thursday claimed the BJP's slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' now means 'Beti BJP ke netaon se bachao' (save daughters from BJP leaders)' and also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making an appeal to the protesting wrestlers urging them not to immerse their medals in the Ganga.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Congress MP Depender Hooda said, "These medals are their life, they represent their struggle, their families' sacrifices and the nation's pride. What kind of a cruel government is this. We want to ask the prime minister and government that why they did not even appeal, urging the wrestlers not to immerse their medals."(PTI)

Request government to forget our ideological differences and help wrestlers: Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh

Protestors should await Delhi police probe, not take steps that may harm sport and aspiring wrestlers: Anurag Thakur

DCW seeks case against man for revealing identity to minor complainant against Brij Bhushan Singh

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal Wednesday issued a notice to police seeking to file a case against a man who allegedly revealed the identity of a minor wrestler who has filed a sexual harassment complaint against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

BRS leader Kavitha supports women wrestlers, seeks action against WFI chief

BRS leader and MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Wednesday came in support of the women wrestlers who have been protesting for the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexual harassment.(PTI)

Reports claiming lack of evidence against WFI chief wrong, probe underway: Delhi Police

Earlier reports, citing Delhi police, had said that there was not enough evidence against the embattled WFI chief.

Read more

Immersing your (wrestlers) medals in Ganga won’t make the government hang me: WFI chief Brij Bhushan

If this would have happened during Congress’ rule, the minister would have been suspended by now, says Vijender Singh

If single allegation against me is proven, I will hang myself, says WFI chief

No evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh, say Delhi Police

Till now, we have not found sufficient evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh. Within 15 days we'll be filing our report in court. It could be in the form of charge sheet or final report. There is no supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim, reported ANI quoting sources in Delhi Police.

The source added thatsections of POCSO added in FIR has less than seven years imprisonment, so Investigating Officer cannot proceed with arrest as demanded by the accused. "Neither he is influencing the witness nor he is destroying the evidence,"the source said.

Does POCSO not apply to Brij Bhushan? Sibal flays govt

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday slammed the government over the issue of allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh, and asked whether POCSO and immediate arrest apply to all accused other than Singh because he belongs to the BJP.

The attack by Sibal, a senior advocate who represented the protesting wrestlers in the Supreme Court, came a day after the matter escalated as the wrestlers reached Haridwar on the banks of the Ganga, threatening to immerse their World and Olympic medals in the holy river but stopped short of doing so after being convinced by farmer leaders who sought five days to address their grievances.

Read more

Tikait announces 'mahapanchayat' in Muzaffarnagar tomorrow

BKU leader Naresh Tikait said a 'mahapanchayat' will be held in Muzaffarnagar's Soram village on Thursday to discuss the ongoing protest by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment charges. Tikait, the head of Balyan khap, on Tuesday night said the matter will be discussed in detail in the mahapanchayat.

Wish PM had lived up to his words of 'Naari Samaan', says Shiv Sena MP

The Opposition has been slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre for the treatment meted out to the protesting wrestlers.Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the government's "silence" on the issue led to the condemnation by international wrestling body United World Wrestling (UWW).

"This is a shame Indian government and Delhi Police called on itself. Wish the Sports Ministry and Women Ministry had shown the spine to stand up for what was the right thing to do rather than over their politics. Wish India's PM had lived upto his words of Naari Samaan rather than turning a blind eye to the protests. Their silence led to this statement from UWW," Chaturvedi said.

Govt should not test patience of country: Deepender Hooda in show of support to wrestlers

The dishonour of one woman had led to the Mahabharata, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda said Tuesday as he attacked the BJP-led central government over the wrestlers' protest, warning it against testing the patience of the country.

Heavy security has been deployed near the India Gate area after wrestlers said they plan to go on hunger strike

Wrestlers say they'll go on a hunger strike 'until death' at India Gate

The wrestlers, after being evicted from Jantar Mantar on May 28 have said they will continue their protest and go on a hunger strike "until death" at theIndiaGate. However, the Delhi Police said on Tuesday that they will not be allowed to protest atIndiaGateas it is a "national monument and not a site for demonstrations".

Khap leaders have called emergency meeting today

Meanwhile, Khap leaders have called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the future course of action."Our daughters are being tortured, and the whole country is angry. The government is saving one man (WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh). Holding a peaceful protest is not wrong. We will not let them (the protesting wrestlers) down... We have called a khap meeting on Wednesday to discuss the future course of action regarding the demand to arrest the WFI chief (on charges of sexual harassment)," Tikait told reporters yesterday.

Warning by wrestling's world governing body must be taken seriously, says Clyde Crasto

Standing in solidarity: Activists, sportspersons in Bengaluru seek justice for wrestlers

Activists, writers, and sportspersons gathered at Freedom Park on Sunday to express solidarity with the national wrestlers in Delhi and demand action against MP Brij Bhushan Singh, accused of sexual harassment.

Among the gathering were renowned swimmer Nisha Millet, champion athlete Reeth Abraham, and writer-historian Ramachandra Guha, who denounced the wrestlers’ mistreatment and called for Singh’s immediate arrest.

Read more

Congress accuses govt of 'protecting' accused of sexual exploitation, questions Modi's claims on women security

The Congress on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of being "anti-daughter" for protecting those accused of sexual exploitation and not standing with the "daughters" who brought pride to the country.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving long lectures on respect for women from the Red Fort and yet protecting those accused of harassing women.

Read more

Anil Kumble dismayed by manhandling of wrestlers

The legendary Anil Kumble on Tuesday said he is "dismayed" by the treatment meted out to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar where they were manhandled and detained by police for trying to march towards the new Parliament building and hold a 'Mahila Mahapanchayat'.

UWW condemns detention of wrestlers, threatens to ban WFI if polls not held in time

Meanwhile, the United World Wrestling (UWW) on Tuesday condemned the detention of India's top wrestlers during their protest in Jantar Mantar and threatened to suspend the national federation WFI if it fails to hold its election within the stipulated time.

Read more

Tikait collects medals from protesting wrestlers, seeks 5 days time

Bharatiya Kisan Union's Naresh Tikait collected the World and Olympic medals from the wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment allegations, and sought five days time before taking the next step.

Wrestlers halt plan to immerse medals in Ganga, give five days time to government

Country's top wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, on Tuesday drove to the holy town of Haridwar in Uttar Pradesh to immerse their medals in Ganga river to intensify their protest against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh but an intervention by a senior farmer's leader prompted them to postpone their plans for the time being.

Read more

Wrestlers’ protest: Parties exercise caution over ramifications ahead of Lok Sabha polls

With less than 12 months to go for the next general elections, political ramifications of the wrestlers’ agitation in over three dozen Lok Sabha constituencies of Jat influence spread across north India have forced political parties to firm up their position on the issue with extreme caution.

The agitation has been led by internationally acclaimed wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. The Olympians and many others in the group who have been insisting on the arrest of BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh belong to the Jat community — an influential intermediary caste with land holdings.

Read more