India
‘Wrestlers should wait for Delhi Police to conclude investigation…’: Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur
While addressing the press, Anurag Thakur said that the government stands with them but the investigation will take place with the due process.
New Delhi: Protesting wrestlers were detained by Delhi Police a couple of days ago and while their protest has been cleared from Jantar Mantar, Union Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Anurag Thakur urged them to wait till police concludes its investigation. While addressing the press, Anurag Thakur said that the government stands with them but the investigation will take place with the due process.
The Union Minister mentioned that the Centre government has hiked the sports budget to provide better infrastructure and training facilities to Indian athletes. He said that the Modi government began Khelo India Youth Games and is undertaking projects worth Rs 2700 crore for sports infrastructure. Anurag Thakur mentioned this to assure that the government stands with sportspersons.
#WATCH | The wrestlers should wait for Delhi Police to conclude their investigation and not take any steps that may cause harm to the sport or aspiring wrestlers. We all are in favour of the sport and sportspersons: Union Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on… pic.twitter.com/gIbSnLeeTR
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2023
On the wrestlers’ protest, he said that a committee was formed, and changes were made to its composition as per the protestors’ demands. He added that the case was heard in the Supreme Court and Delhi Police registered FIRs and asked the wrestlers to trust the apex court, the ministry, and the police.
Thakur said that the wrestlers should wait for the police to finish their probe and not take any steps that may cause harm to the sport or aspiring wrestlers.
The wrestlers are demanding the arrest of WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing seven women wrestlers. India’s ace grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Mallik, Sangeeta Phogat, and Bajrang Punia have given an ultimatum to the administration and said that they will immerse their medals in River Ganga.
According to news agency ANI, Delhi Police have not found sufficient evidence to arrest the WFI chief and will be filing their report in court within 15 days. Sources from Delhi Police also told ANI the sections of POCSO in the FIR have less than seven years imprisonment, so Investigating Officer cannot arrest the accused.
Earlier, the accused Brij Bhushan addressed a public meeting and said that if a single allegation against him is proven, he will hang himself. He asked the wrestlers to bring in evidence against him and submit it in court.