New Delhi:

Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, dealing with severe allegations of sexual harassment by ladies athletes, at this time stated resigning from his publish, as demanded by protesting wrestlers, wasn’t an enormous deal for him, however he will not do it “as a prison”.

“Their (wrestlers) calls for are continually altering. They first requested for my resignation because the federation chief, I stated that will imply accepting the fees towards me. Resignation is not any huge deal, however I will not do it as a prison. I’m not a prison,” he stated, including that it isn’t a troublesome time for him as he has at all times confronted difficulties.

Brij Bhushan Singh reiterated that he was harmless and can cooperate with any enquiry as he trusts the judicial system and the probe businesses.

“I’ve been dealing with abuses and allegations for months now. This hurts my household and supporters, however I need an neutral enquiry…They instigated folks towards me for 4 months and saved bringing new folks to make accusations. I’ve at all times revered the federal government, they’re those leaping the gun. They’re saying I must be in jail,” he stated, including that his Lok Sabha membership just isn’t due to “the largesse of Vinesh Phogat (one of many wrestlers main the protest)” however due to the individuals who assist him.

He additional advised a conspiracy by “one household” and “one akhada (wrestling area)”. Accusing the Congress of attempting to malign his fame, he additionally claimed “one businessman” was a part of the conspiracy.

Going through the hardest battle of his political {and professional} profession, the wrestling physique chief, who can be a BJP MP, at this time appeared defiant throughout a present of energy at his house turf. Garlanded and surrounded by supporters in jap Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, Mr Singh stated he hasn’t but acquired a replica of the First Data Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi police after complaints of sexual harassment towards him by a number of ladies wrestlers. Mr Singh additionally careworn that his social gathering had nothing to do with the case, and it was his job to counter the allegations.

“I’ve not but acquired the FIR copy. I’ll communicate as soon as I’ve acquired the FIR copy,” he stated. He had on Friday welcomed the Delhi police’s determination to file a case based mostly on the allegations of sexual harassment made towards him by the nation’s prime wrestlers.

Mr Singh advised reporters on Friday that the wrestlers ought to have waited for the report of a committee that was tasked to look into the matter earlier than they determined to sit down on a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

“I’m proud of the judiciary’s determination. The Delhi Police will examine the allegations, and I’m able to cooperate with them in each potential method. Nobody is greater than the judiciary on this nation. The order has come to file an FIR (first data report). The federal government had additionally stated it had no objection to submitting an FIR. I’m not greater than the Supreme Courtroom. I welcome the order,” Mr Singh advised reporters.

BJP MLAs flocked to Brij Bhushan Singh’s residence in Gonda. Calling the allegations towards him ‘baseless’, they stated it was a conspiracy of the Congress and “some industrialists” towards the ruling social gathering.

“This is not a protest by wrestlers. It is a pre-planned occasion,” Ajay Pratap Singh, MLA from the Colonelganj constituency in Gonda, stated. He additionally claimed that the probe committee investigating the fees towards the federation chief did not discover something incriminating him. Notably, the oversight committee report is but to be launched to the general public, even after repeated calls for from prime wrestlers.

Balrampur MLA Palturam, additionally current at Mr Singh’s residence, stated Congress is conspiring to malign Brij Bhushan Singh’s political fame. 

“It is a political conspiracy by the Congress to destroy the MP’s picture, however they will not achieve success. The frequent individuals are with him (Brij Bhushan Singh), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,” he stated.

The wrestlers together with Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat had alleged the authorities didn’t file the FIR for a very long time regardless of their requests.

Congress chief Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met protesting wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar at this time to precise solidarity with their demand. The Congress normal secretary hit out on the Delhi Police for not offering a replica of the FIR filed towards Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. 

“I haven’t got any expectations from the PM (Narendra Modi), as a result of if he’s nervous about these wrestlers, then why has he not talked to them or met them but? Why is the federal government attempting to save lots of him (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh),” she stated.

Prime Aam Aadmi Get together leaders have additionally visited the protest web site and provided solidarity to the wrestlers. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will go to them this night.

The wrestlers had earlier this yr determined to maintain political events away from their protests, even asking CPI(M) chief Brinda Karat to step down from the stage whereas she was addressing the gathering, however have modified their stance now and are welcoming all events who assist them.

Sports activities Minister Anurag Thakur had fashioned the committee to look into the allegations towards the WFI and its chief. The committee, which was advised to offer a report back to the Youth Affairs and Sports activities Ministry, had submitted it on April 5. However the ministry has not but made public the findings of the six-member committee.

The Delhi Police have filed two circumstances towards Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. One of many FIRs is over a grievance of sexual harassment by a minor, filed below the stringent Safety of Kids from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which provides no scope for bail.