WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Postpones Rally Amid Wrestlers Protests

Amidst the wrestlers' protest demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India Chief and Bharatiya Janta Party leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is alleged to have sexually harassed seven women wrestlers, Ayodhya seers have called for a large gathering in Delhi on June 5, seeking amendments to the POCSO Act.

This comes after sources claim that one of the women wrestlers who was allegedly harassed by the WFI Chief was not a minor but an adult. The seers in Ayodhya claim that the POCSO Act is being misused by some, leading to the "harassment," "character assassination," and "media trial" of public figures even before the individual is legally convicted of the crime.

Brij Bhushan Singh, who is currently facing a case under the POCSO Act claimed that the law is being misused. He added that under the seers' leadership, they would "force the government to change it".

Hence, the seers called their counterparts across the country to gather for a protest in Ayodhya on June 5. They have decided to submit a memorandum to the centre seeking amendments to the POCSO Act.

WFI Singh postponed his rally amid growing demands for his arrest by the protesting wrestlers.

The announcement came a day after representations of around 50 khaps met in support of the wrestlers. They said they would meet President Droupadi Murmu to press for action against Singh.

Singh announced he was postponing the rally due to the ongoing police investigation against him. Ayodhya seers were expected to share the dias with Singh at the rally and had demanded amending the POCSO Act.

Brij Bhushan Singh Seeks POCSO Act Amendment

The rally is reportedly organised by saints, seers, and sages, who seek for amendments to the POCSO Act. The BJP leader and WFI chief is leading the efforts across Uttar Pradesh.

Mahant Mithlesh Nandani Sharan of Hanumat Niwas told the media that the POCSO Act had many subclauses that defined crime and the manner in which it was committed. He mentioned that it was common for prominent figures to be surrounded by men, women, and children alike. He stated how public figures help people get things done, but sometimes people who are disappointed with them end up making false allegations against them.

He urged the centre to be strict against sexual harassment and tackle it using stringent laws. However, he added that the clause that allows people to be arrested just on the basis of indicative gestures and one-sided allegations needed to be amended.

He noted how some abhasi paristhitiyan (indicative circumstances) that come under the clauses of the POCSO Act that call for action can be misused in the case of sants, as it’s an age-old tradition of them touching people’s heads when they seek their blessings. He explained that if a woman approached a sant and sought his blessing, he would bless her by touching her head, and that could not be a basis to arrest him.

Sateyndra Das, another seer said that the POCSO Act was being misused. He stated that people are subjected to mental harassment even before they are convicted of the crime and added that seers from different parts of the country would put forward their views on June 5. He stated that their recommendations would be sent to the central government seeking amendments to the POCSO Act.

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