Rahul Gandhi Criticizes PM Modi for Shielding WFI Chief Amid Serious Allegations
02-06-2023 : Rahul Gandhi, a former leader of the Congress, increased his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by charging that he protected Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the head of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who is being charged with serious offences. While visiting the United States, Rahul Gandhi expressed his worries on Twitter, claiming that the BJP MP was still benefiting from Modi’s “suraksha kavach” (protection shield).
Highlighting the plight of the wrestlers who have brought numerous international medals and are now demanding justice on the streets, Rahul Gandhi pointed out the irony of Singh, who is facing 15 heinous allegations of sexual abuse in two FIRs, being shielded by the Prime Minister. He held the Modi government responsible for the current situation faced by the affected female athletes.
The details of the two FIRs, which outline the incidents of sexual harassment allegedly committed by Singh, have recently emerged. This has further fueled the demands for his arrest by prominent Indian wrestlers, including Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat.
Rahul Gandhi had previously voiced his support for the protesting wrestlers when they were detained by the police on May 28, during the inauguration of the new Parliament House. He criticized the government, describing the actions of the authorities as an attempt to suppress the voice of the people on the streets.
In addition to supporting the wrestlers, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned why the culprits had not been arrested despite the serious allegations. Since April 23, the wrestlers had been holding a demonstration at Jantar Mantar and calling for Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s detention.
The demonstrators were detained on Sunday when they tried to march from Jantar Mantar to the new Parliament House but ran into police barricades. The persistent calls for justice and responsibility in this situation emphasize how urgent it is to address the accusations against the WFI chief and ensure a thorough inquiry.
