'Tear on the cheek of Indian history...': Sidhu slams govt on wrestlers' protest
Sidhu said he planned to meet the wrestlers - who are staging a sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar - on Monday.
Ex-cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu lamented the 'tear on the cheek of time in Indian history' on Friday as he spoke out in support of wrestlers protesting against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, whom they have accused of sexual harassment and intimidation.
"Shocking that nine women of recognition complained and no FIR (first information report) is registered. It'll be a tear on the cheek of time in Indian history... any country that insults their women icons is hurting its own pride. These women have brought laurels to the nation. They have given wings to the aspirations of millions..." Sidhu tweeted.
"Hurting their self esteem is hurting India's pride... are the bigwigs of our country above the law? The law must set a deterrent that generations must tremble before insulting women... a good example is the best sermon you can preach..." he continued.
Sidhu also said he planned to meet the protesting wrestlers - who are staging a sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over inaction against claims made three months ago - on Monday.
The Congress leader was joined today by Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who also spoke out in support of the wrestlers; she called them 'the pride of our nation' and demanded Brij Bhushan, if found guilty, be punished 'irrespective of political affiliation'.
The wrestlers' protest and allegations re-erupted this week three months after the original sit-in led by Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat. They have accused the government of failing to act and have pointed to Brij Bhushan remaining in charge of the national wrestling body.
On Tuesday a Supreme Court bench led by chief justice DY Chandrachud asked Delhi Police to file a reply to the wrestlers' plea and listed the matter for Friday. The court acknowledged the serious nature of the wrestlers' allegation.
Comments by Indian track-and-field icon PT Usha, who is also chief of the country's Olympic Association and a BJP-nominated MP, have triggered a fresh row after she accused the protesting wrestlers of ‘tarnishing India’s image'.
