Mamata Banerjee.
Credit: PTI Photo
The suspension of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) membership by the United World Wrestling (UWW) for not holding its elections on time, has given Trinamool Congress leadership a chance to slam the Centre, and highlight the erstwhile issue of wrestlers’ grievances, who were on protest earlier.
“I am shocked to learn that the United World Wrestling (UWW) has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India. It is a matter of grave embarrassment for the whole nation,” Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee stated in a tweet.
Banerjee added that the Centre has “let down our wrestlers by being shamefully arrogant and by being cavalier & dismissive towards the plight of our wrestler sisters”.
The Trinamool leader alleged that the Centre, and the BJP, have been consistent in “harassing our indomitable sisters with misogyny and crude male chauvinism”. “India should stand against and punish those who are left with no moral compass and who can not stand up for the dignity of the nation’s fighting daughters. The day of reckoning is not too far,” she added.
Mentioning the “tainted tenure” of the former president of the federation, Trinamool’s official handle went on to add, “Our wrestlers will now be forced to participate as neutrals and not under the national flag. This dark cloud that now hangs over Indian wrestling is a direct consequence of the BJP’s blatant disregard for duty, integrity, and respect towards the athletes who have brought pride to our nation.”
Trinamool leaders, including Derek O’Brien, Mahua Moitra, also reacted with similar statements.
On May 31, the Trinamool chief had walked in a rally in Kolkata, in solidarity with the wrestlers who were, then, protesting against alleged sexual harassment. On the preceding day, the chief minister had dialed the wrestlers to extend her support to them.