Wrestler Vinesh Phogat asks cousin Babita not to weaken the protest

New Delhi: The Phogat cousins Vinesh and Babita got into a disagreement on Twitter over the ongoing wrestler's protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Vinesh Phogat is among the top wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar since Sunday. They had also previously demanded that Babita Phogat, who joined BJP in 2019, be part of the probing committee. The report of the committee has not been yet made public.

Babita earlier tweeted about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visiting the protest site. She wrote: "Priyanka Vadra reached Jantar Mantar with her personal secretary Sandeep Singh to seek justice for women wrestlers, but this person himself has been accused of misbehaving women and insulting a Dalit woman."

Vinesh responded by tweeting: "If you can't stand for the rights of aggrieved female wrestlers, Babita sister, I request you with folded hands not to weaken our movement. It has taken years for female wrestlers to speak up against their abusers. You are also a woman, try to understand our pain."

After the Supreme Court sent a notice, the Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The first one is linked to the allegations levelled by a minor under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of IPC about outraging modesty. The second FIR is for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints by adult complainants under relevant IPC sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.

Protestors are demanding criminal action against Singh over alleged sexual harassment and intimidation.