Wrestlers’ Protest: Union Minister Smriti Irani finally breaks silence, brings Babita Phogat into the mix

After protesting wrestlers deferred their medals' immersion by 5 days, Union Minister Smriti Irani broke silence on their entire ordeal during an exclusive interview with news organisation Times Now.

The BJP MP counter-questioned the anchor when asked about the female wrestlers.

She brought BJP leader Babita Phogat, who is also Vinesh Phogat’s cousin, into the mix by asking why Babita isn't supporting her sister's protest.

‘I had a chat with Babita Phogat before this interview. Do you think a world-famous wrestler like Babita Phogat will support those who exploited others & especially her family members?’ Irani asked the anchor.

She also called out the wrestlers who had stated on Tuesday that they would immerse their medals into the Ganga river at 6 PM and didn't do it till 8 pm.

The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of ex-WFI chief Brijbhushan Singh.
On their demands, Irani said, ‘Those who are aware of laws know that the legal procedure is going on. If there is an intervention now, then it will go against those women.’

FIRs have been filed against Brijbhushan by the Delhi Police on April 28. A month later, the probe into the sexual allegations is still on.

Irani also mentioned calls by opposition leaders over the ongoing investigation saying, ‘I want to know why the opposition leaders want to deprive these wrestlers of the fair and impartial probe.’
Babita Phogat had played the role of a mediator between the government and the grapplers during the first leg of wrestlers' protests in January this year. However, she has not been a part of the protests since April.