THE Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, in a statement issued on May 8, has expressed its whole hearted support to the justified demand of young women wrestlers for stringent action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP MP and the chairperson of the Wrestlers Federation of India, who, as per two FIRs registered against him, harassed them sexually. The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions demands that he be arrested immediately so that the enquiry proceeds without him being able to influence it under undue pressure.

These young wrestlers, who brought laurels to the nation by winning medals through their hard work, were treated poorly when they were inconvenienced at the dharna sthal (protest site) at Jantar Mantar. The situation worsened on the night of May 3rd when they were attacked by the police for simply trying to protect themselves from the rain, shifting their mats, and arranging for cots.

The police manhandled a woman journalist Sakshi Joshi, whose clothes were torn in the process. She, on getting the information of police action, had reached the spot for reporting facts from the site.

The voices raised by the wrestlers represent a call for justice for all the women who face harassment. These women are not only not heard, but they also face the wrath when the perpetrator is in a position of power.

Reiterating their demand that the government immediately arrest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the actions on the FIRs be proceeded with as one of the FIR invokes even the POCSO Act, the trade unions called upon their units at all levels to extend support, organise solidarity actions, and send their support messages to the protesters.