'Ready for narco test if Punia, Phogat…': WFI's Brij Bhushan
What's the story
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that he was ready to face a narco or polygraph test, provided the protesting wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat also undergo the same.
"I stand by my word even today and promise the countrymen to remain steadfast forever," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP added.
Context
Why does this story matter?
On April 21, seven women wrestlers—including a minor—lodged a police complaint against Singh alleging sexual harassment, three months after their demand for action made no headway.
Later, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against Singh, while grapplers alleged the government-appointed probe committee was hostile to them.
Notably, they called off their January agitation after assurances from the Centre and the Wrestling Oversight Committee's formation.
Mahapanchayat
Women's 'mahapanchayat' at new Parliament on May 28
Singh's statement came as the Sarv Khap Panchayat demanded his arrest and narco test.
Notably, the protesting wrestlers' 15-day ultimatum to the government to arrest Singh ended on Sunday.
Following this, the panchayat, which had previously backed the grapplers, declared a "women's mahapanchayat" at the newly-constructed Parliament in Delhi on May 28, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the complex.
Details
Wrestlers' protest to continue like farmers' protest: Rakesh Tikait
The khap and farm leaders said women from across the nation would arrive in the national capital to join the protest demanding action against the WFI chief.
They and the protesting wrestlers would hold a candle march at the India Gate on Tuesday.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said the protest would continue undeterred, just like the farmers' protest of 2020-21.
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