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IMAGE: To indicate solidarity to the protesting wrestlers West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee led a protest march, which was joined by a number of former gamers. {Photograph}: PTI
Exhibiting solidarity with the aggrieved wrestlers, former India midfielder Mehtab Hossain on Wednesday joined a protest march within the metropolis led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Unprecedented scenes of police dragging Olympic and World Championships medallists, together with Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat, had been witnessed when the wrestlers and their supporters breached the safety cordon throughout their march in the direction of the brand new Parliament constructing for the deliberate girls’s ‘Mahapanchayat’ on Sunday.
The grapplers are demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing a number of girls wrestlers, together with a minor.
“When the identical athletes received you Olympic medals, the prime minister had the time to host them over tea and gave photo-ops,” the previous East Bengal midfielder advised PTI.
“If the PM spared 5 minutes to hearken to their pleas, this wrestling drama wouldn’t have reached this stage,” he added.
On Tuesday, the wrestlers reached Har ki Pauri in Haridwar, threatening to immerse their medals within the Ganges however had been later stopped from doing so by Khap and farmer leaders.
The 37-year-old Mehtab stated, “Bear in mind, the entire world is watching us. It is bringing disgrace to the nation, even the IOC and UWW have taken notice of it.
“They’re all worldwide gamers who introduced medals on the highest degree. The nation’s picture is dented.”
Generally known as the ‘Midfield Common’ in Kolkata Maidan, Mehtab hung up his boots in 2018-19 and joined the BJP, solely to “give up” inside 24 hours within the build-up to the West Bengal 2021 elections.
Mehtab was accompanied by about 20 former East Bengal gamers and officers who joined the protest rally.
The rally started at Hazra and culminated at Rabindra Sadan, and witnessed participation of 36 organisations, together with the Bengal Olympic Affiliation, the Indian Soccer Affiliation (IFA), East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting golf equipment.
“We’re not coming below any social gathering color. We had been there to help our brothers and sisters who’ve introduced glory to the nation,” Mehtab stated.
“That is our means of expressing our solidarity with the wrestlers as we aren’t capable of go there and help them bodily. They’re our brothers and sisters.
“As a fellow sportsperson, we’re deeply touched by what they’re going by. They’ve sacrificed their lives for the game, to earn medals for the nation. No frequent particular person can do such sacrifice.
“It is undoubtedly a severe challenge, are they’re made to take a seat on dharna for thus many days. They’re placing at stake all their lives’ earnings.”
Former East Bengal gamers who attended the rally included Syed Rahim Nabi, Alvito D’Cunha, Asim Biswas, Debjit Ghosh, Prasanta Banerjee, and Pintu Chowdhury amongst others.
Alvito stated the matter needs to be investigated correctly.
“No matter is occurring with the wrestlers right now mustn’t repeat in future with another sports activities individuals.
“This can have a foul influence and fogeys will not permit their youngsters to take up sport, particularly the ladies, from henceforth.
“The culprits needs to be punished and justice ought to prevail, that is all we ask for,” Alvito stated.
To date, two FIRs had been lodged in opposition to Brij Bhushan together with one in POCSO act, however it’s now being claimed that the ‘minor’ who has filed a grievance in opposition to the WFI chief is definitely not a minor.
The oversight panel, which was fashioned by the federal government to probe the allegations, didn’t make its findings public however sources had claimed that the six-member committee didn’t discover any incriminating proof in opposition to Brij Bhushan.
The WFI chief has denied all the fees and stated that even when one allegation is proved, he’ll “cling himself”.
Brij Bhushan has alleged political conspiracy behind the protest.
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