'Every citizen who loves this country stands with the wrestlers': Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that every citizen who loves the country will stand with the wrestlers, who are protesting at Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Photo Credit: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Sangita Phogat during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi. (Photo credit: PTI)

In his address from the protest site, the Delhi CM asked people across the country to come to Jantar Mantar to support the wrestlers. "Every citizen who loves this country stands with the wrestlers," he said.

Electricity and water supply to the protest venue had been disconnected and supplies like food and mattresses were being not allowed in, he alleged, while promising to help them.

"All these women players who have brought laurels to the country are our daughters, they must get justice. No matter how powerful the accused is, he should be given the harshest punishment," he said in a tweet.

The wrestlers began their second round of protest last Sunday demanding action against Singh, also a BJP MP, on sexual harassment allegations levelled by seven women players.

After much delay, the Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs against the WFI chief.

The AAP chief said those who commit such wrongs against women "should be hanged". "The athletes have made India proud on the international stage. But for a week they have been forced to protest at Jantar Mantar. Why? Because a big politician allegedly did wrong things to women and our sisters who have made the country proud," Kejriwal told reporters.

While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second was related to outraging modesty.

Delhi Cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, and AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta had met the protesters on Friday.

"I was watching a TV debate yesterday and when I saw the wrestlers here break down, I was heartbroken. I thought to myself what kind of a central government do we have. Even a person with a heart of stone will break down after listening to the stories of harassment that these wrestlers have faced. But still Modi ji and his government do not care about these athletes," Atishi said.

With inputs from PTI