Amid wrestlers' protest, Babita Phogat issues a stern warning to Congress

Even as the protest by wrestlers rage in the national capital, demanding immediate steps to disband the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and action against WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accused of sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years, former wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat warned the Congress against politicising the protests.

In a tweet, she pointed out that the fight of the wrestlers is not against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Smriti Irani and the BJP.

The Congress on Friday demanded that the sports body should be dissolved and PM Modi answer what action he took when issues were allegedly flagged to him by a wrestler in 2021.

Flanked by Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh and Commonwealth Games gold medallist discus thrower Krishna Poonia, both Congress leaders, party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said it was "shameful" that even after 72 hours Singh had not resigned and the government was maintaining a "conspicuous silence."

The Congress' first and foremost demand is that the federation should be dissolved with immediate effect, she said.

"Brij Bhushan Singh should have resigned yesterday itself. But the biggest demand that we raise for public interest is that women need to be made safe and secure," Shrinate said.

Poonia, a Congress MLA from Rajasthan, said it was very difficult for women athletes as it is and with such matters coming to light it is going to get tougher.

She alleged that the BJP has "torn the 'Beti Bachao' slogan to shreds" with repeated incidents involving BJP leaders coming to light.

Vijender Singh said he had gone and expressed solidarity with the wrestlers and strict action should be taken immediately in the matter.

Hitting out at the Congress, Babita Phogat, in a tweet in Hindi, said, "The players battle against the Federation and against one individual."

"I want to tell the Congress party to stop doing petty politics on the sportspersons' movement for their own benefit," she further said.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik too echoed similar sentiments although they did not name a specific party.

"Our fight is not with the government. We are fighting against the players' federation and its president. No political party should do politics on this movement," Punia's tweet in Hindi read.

Malik said the movement is about the players and the future of the game. "Our movement is against the federation and its resident. No political party should do politics on this for their own benefit," she said.

The issue was expected to turn political as Singh is a BJP MP from Kaiserganj. Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was "extremely shameful" that no action has been taken against those who have been accused of sexual exploitation by female wrestlers.

"From a Haryana minister to the WFI president, everyone has been accused of serious charges but there has been no resignation nor any action. This party and its government are busy shielding their leaders with respect to the security of women players. This is extremely shameful," Kejriwal.

—With PTI inputs