Arvind Kejriwal stands in solidarity with wrestlers protesting alleged sexual harassment, calls for severe consequences
New Delhi : On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his solidarity with the wrestlers who were protesting at Jantar Mantar against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India.
The wrestlers have been engaged in the protest for nearly a week, demanding action against Singh, who is also a BJP MP, following allegations of sexual harassment made by seven women players. In response to the allegations, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh on Friday.
Kejriwal, while extending his support to the protesting wrestlers, strongly condemned any wrongdoing committed against women and stated that those responsible for such acts should face severe consequences, including capital punishment.
Later in a Hindi tweet, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, expressed his concern for the women players who have brought pride to the country and emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for them. He stated that regardless of the accused person's power or influence, they should be subjected to the most severe punishment.
In another tweet, Kejriwal criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the matter. He pointed out that while an education reformer, presumably referring to his former deputy Manish Sisodia, was imprisoned, Prime Minister Modi seemed to be providing support to BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment from female wrestlers.
During his address at the protest site, Arvind Kejriwal expressed his concern over the perceived lack of consequences for leaders from a particular political party when they engage in wrongdoing. He alleged that even if leaders from this party are involved in misconduct, no harm befalls them, and the entire government system works to protect them.
Kejriwal further stated that the leader at the center of the sexual abuse allegations had the support and protection of their party and government. He accused them of prioritizing shielding their members instead of ensuring justice for the victims. In his statement, the chief minister claimed that the prime minister's message to the nation was that if any complaint is made against a leader from the BJP, no legal action would be taken.