Don’t make it Lakhimpur Kheri: Sidhu bats for wrestlers

Extending support to protesting wrestlers, former cricketer said if justice is delayed, it will be denied

NEW DELHI | Updated: 02 May, 2023 3:48 am IST
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu at the protest site near Jantar Mantar

After watching it from the pavilion, Congress leader and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu came to the pitch as he batted for the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Monday.

Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, along with Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, are leading wrestlers who were protesting against the alleged sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

Referring to the infamous Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Sidhu said, “Don’t make it Lakhimpur Kheri. If justice is delayed, it will be denied. Everyone has to take a side.”

He also demanded action against the Delhi Police officers for not registering the FIR for seven days.

Eight person lost their lives when protesting farmers and supporters of Union minister Ajay Kumar Teni allegedly ran through the protest.

After Supreme Court’s direction, Delhi police filed two First Information Reports (FIRs) under POCSO and sections related to molestation on Friday.

Meanwhile, the protesting wrestlers said, that Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, had filed a plea before the SC last week. The wrestlers, meanwhile, said they would continue their protest until Singh was put behind bars.

Meanwhile, Sidhu also questioned why the FIR had not been shared with the wrestlers. “FIR is a public document, why has it not been shared with these wrestlers?” he asked. Sidhu also questioned why it took 10 days to register the FIR.

Demanding action against the cops, Sidhu said action should be taken against the policemen for sitting over the complaints, which were given by female wrestlers.

“Among the complainants, one is a minor, despite the fact that the case was not registered. And when a section of POCSO is invoked, then there should be immediate arrest,” Sidhu added.

Before Sidhu, former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat also visited the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Monday.

The protest by celebrated wrestlers continues to attract a bevy of politicians Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, Haryana’s former chief minister Bhupinder Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hooda have supported wrestlers. On Saturday, AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also extended his support to the wrestlers.

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