New Delhi: Former deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia sent a note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ongoing wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar over allegations of sexual harassment.
"What baffles me is the deafening silence of the BJP, the Central government, and even the prime minister himself, as if these women are from Pakistan," said the note shared by AAP minister Atishi on Twitter. "I am sure we all remember the time when these wrestlers returned to India as proud medal-winners, and the prime minister posed for photos and videos with these talented athletes," he added.
"As these courageous young women leave behind their training and responsibilities at home to protest under scorching sun and pouring rain, the prime minister remains indifferent to their plight. How can our prime minister, who once considered these girls as his family, remain silent when they face sexual harassment? Is it simply because the accused is a powerful Member of Parliament from his own party? asked the AAP leader.
He also said that the BJP-ruled centre over the last eight years has been "stifling" the constitution and using probe agencies to "obstruct" the works of the Delhi government and sent its ministers to jail in "false cases."
"You can continue to send your political adversaries to jail, you subject them to persecution, even hang them if you want... But I implore you to at least provide justice to these daughters who have brought immense pride to India," read the letter.
Women wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat have accused BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. They said police and government bodies were reluctant to take action over their complaints. It was only after the Supreme Court ordered, two FIRs were filed in the case.
Seven women including a minor have come forward with accusations and they have been sitting on a dharna since April 23. Their demand is to arrest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Sisodia is in Tihar Jail in the Delhi liquor policy scam case.