Union Minister Anurag Thakur told the wrestlers, do not take any step that weakens the game

New Delhi: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday asked the protesting wrestlers not to take any step that could harm the sport or cause injury to sportspersons and wait for the probe to be completed, even as political parties stepped up their attack on the government over the issue. Have done Delhi Police said that the cases filed by the women wrestlers are still under consideration and the status report is being filed before the court. After deleting three tweets on the matter, the police said it would be against procedure to say anything before the report is submitted to the court.

A day after wrestlers demanding the arrest of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment of wrestlers threatened to immerse their medals in river Ganga, Thakur urged them to be patient and take action. urged to do Trust on Supreme Court, Sports Ministry and Delhi Police

He promised appropriate action after the completion of the probe and also said that the WFI would hold elections and a new body would be elected soon.

With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joining a protest in Kolkata against the alleged assault on wrestlers at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday, the opposition further criticized the government on the issue. The Congress also hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking why he did not appeal to the protesting wrestlers not to throw their medals in the Ganges.

The wrestlers, except Sakshi Malik, returned to their homes in Haryana and did not speak to the waiting media in Haridwar on Wednesday because of their “vow of silence”.

Wrestlers, who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here since April 23, were on Sunday removed by the police when they tried to march after the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

Responding to questions from reporters, Thakur said, “I request the wrestlers to be patient till the results of the investigation come.

He stressed that his ministry has taken immediate action on the wrestlers’ complaint and appropriate action will be taken after the investigation is complete.

Thakur said the WFI president has stepped down and a committee of administrators constituted by the Indian Olympic Association is taking decisions on a day-to-day basis.

The Delhi Police said the sexual harassment case against Singh is sub judice and the status report of the probe will be submitted to the court.

Earlier in the day, police sources said the force had not found enough evidence to support the allegations leveled against Singh by the women wrestlers and would submit a report within 15 days.

As soon as this news broke in the media, Delhi Police said on Twitter, “It is clarified that this news is false and the investigation of this sensitive matter is going on with utmost sensitivity.” A public relations officer of Delhi Police also shared the same message with reporters. Delhi Police deleted its tweet after about an hour. The PRO also deleted the message that it had shared in the official WhatsApp group for journalists.

Later, the PRO gave another message in Hindi which read: “The cases lodged by the women wrestlers are still under consideration. Status reports are being filed before the court regarding the investigation in the said cases.”

“As the matter is under investigation, it would be against the procedure to say anything before filing the report in the court,” the message said.

Addressing a program in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that if even a single allegation is proved, he will hang himself.

The BJP MP also said that all wrestlers are like his children and he will not blame them as his sweat and blood has gone into their success.

Addressing a program at Mahadev Auditorium in Ramnagar area here, Singh said, “I am once again saying that if even a single allegation against me is proved, I will hang myself.”

He said, “It’s been four months when they (wrestlers) want me to be hanged, but the government is not hanging me. That’s why they were going to immerse their medals in the Ganges. By throwing the medals in the Ganges, Brij Bhushan Will not be hanged.” The Kaiserganj MP said, “If you have proof, give it to the court and if the court hangs me, I will accept it.”

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee participated in a rally organized in Kolkata in support of the wrestlers, carrying a placard with the message “We want justice” that began at the Hazra Road crossing in the southern part of the city and ended at Ravindra Ended up in the house. Center of Eastern Metropolis.

Banerjee participated in the 2.8 km long rally in her constituency Bhabanipur.

He was accompanied by former women footballers Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar and Shanti Mallick, former footballers Alvito D’Cunha, Rahim Nabi and Dipendu Biswas and many other sports personalities and common people.

Attacking the BJP, the Congress said that the slogan of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ now means ‘Save the daughter from BJP leaders’.

Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat had gone to Har Ki Pauri to protest against the inaction against 66-year-old Singh.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Congress MP Deepender Hooda said, “These medals are their lives, they represent their struggle, the sacrifice of their families and the pride of the country. What kind of cruel government is this?” We want to ask.” The Prime Minister and the government asked why they did not request the wrestlers not to throw away the medals. The Prime Minister and the Ministers who stood in queues to get photographs taken with these sportspersons after winning their medals, did not even appeal. This sent a message that they are not only anti-sportspersons but also anti-medals. the Congress leader from Haryana said.

Hooda said, “You talk of Uniform Civil Code, will it not apply to BJP leaders. Is there a separate law for them?”

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it was “deeply troubling” the manner in which Delhi Police protested Indian wrestlers over the weekend and called for an impartial, criminal investigation into the allegations made by the wrestlers.

The IOC’s response comes after United World Wrestling (UWW) criticized the detention of wrestlers during their protest at Jantar Mantar, with the sport’s world body slamming the national federation for failing to conduct its elections within the stipulated time. Threatened with suspension.

“The behavior of Indian wrestling athletes over the weekend was deeply troubling. The IOC insists that an impartial, criminal investigation into the allegations made by the wrestlers is carried out in accordance with local law,” the IOC said in the statement.

“We understand that the first step towards such a criminal investigation has been taken, but more steps must be taken before concrete action becomes visible. We urge that the safety and well-being of these athletes be considered during this process.” And this investigation will end swiftly.”