NEW DELHI, May 23 (NNN-PTI) – Protesting wrestlers, who are leading ongoing demonstrations, demanding the arrest of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), over allegations of sexual harassment, have accepted his challenge for a narco test, polygraph test, or lie detector test. They stated that they are prepared to undergo the procedure.
“I want to convey through the media that, if Brij Bhushan is willing to undergo a narco test, it should be conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court and be live-streamed on national television,” said India’s top wrestler, Bajrang Punia, during a press briefing.
“We would like to see the questions being asked. He has requested a narco test for Vinesh Phogat, another wrestler, and myself. I am questioning why it should only be the two of us; all the girls who have filed complaints should also undergo the narco test,” Punia added.
Punia was joined by Sakshi Malik and Phogat at the protest site in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
“I would like to tell Brijbhushan that, not only Vinesh but all the girls who have filed complaints are ready to undergo the narco test. It should be conducted on live television so that the entire country becomes aware of his mistreatment of the country’s daughters,” Phogat stated at a press conference.
On Sunday, the WFI chief posted on social media that he is willing to undergo a narco test on condition that Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia also agree to undergo these tests.
“If both wrestlers are ready to undergo the test, then call the press and announce it, and I promise that I am also ready for this,” he stated.
The wrestlers have been protesting for over a month, while Singh has vehemently denied the charges against him. Singh is also a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Previously, he stated in television interviews that, he would resign if Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, or the federal home minister, Amit Shah, asked him to do so.
Last month, the police filed two complaints against Singh – one of them under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, based on a minor’s complaint. The cases were filed after the wrestlers approached the country’s Supreme Court, seeking the registration of a case against Singh.
The wrestlers initially began their protest against Singh in Jan this year. However, they called off the protests, after the government promised to investigate their complaints. Feeling neglected, the wrestlers resumed the protest last month.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formed a seven-member panel, to investigate the allegations against Singh.– NNN-PTI