Tag: Claims

WFI rejects wrestlers’ sexual harassment allegations; claims ‘protest motivated’

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New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has rejected all the allegations, including that of sexual harassment against its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and claimed that the wrestlers’ protest was motivated by a “hidden agenda to dislodge the current management”.
The WFI denied all the charges in its response to the government’s notice and asserted that “there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement ” in the federation.
The Sports Ministry had sought an explanation from WFI after the country’s top wrestlers sat on a dharna and alleged that the federation chief sexually harassed women wrestlers and acts like a “dictator”.
The WFI sent its reply on Friday evening and, a few hours later, the wrestlers called off their protest after the government announced that it will form an oversight committee to probe the charges. It also said the WFI chief will step aside till the investigation is over.
“The WFI is managed by an elected body as per its constitution, and therefore, there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in WFI by any one individually, including the president,” the WFI said in its response to the Sports Ministry.
“The WFI, in particular, under the sitting president has always acted keeping the best interests of wrestlers in mind.
“The WFI has enhanced the image of wrestling sport nationally as well as internationally and for the record of this ministry, it is not possible without fair, supportive, clean and strict management of WFI,” it added.
The allegations were made by renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya.

The federation brought to the notice of the government that it has a five-member sexual harassment committee in place, chaired by its secretary general VN Prasood and which also has Sakshi as a member.
It said the charges were “motivated, biased, unfounded, untrue and false” and that the allegations were made solely with a view to harm the president, the WFI and its coaches.
“Any aggrieved person/wrestler may approach the said committee for its grievances if any, and the committee is bound to inquire as per law. However, no such complaint of any such nature as has been received from the protestors/wrestlers,” the WFI wrote.
The wrestlers, including young Anshu Malik, Sangeeta Phogat and Sonam Malik among others, started a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday and demanded the sacking of the WFI chief.
The wrestlers also demanded that the WFI be disbanded immediately and a new panel is formed, including grapplers.
The WFI listed 23 national events conducted in 2022 and claimed it “speaks of fair, supportive, clean and strict management”.
The WFI questioned the timing of the protest, and said vested interests are behind it.
“…who have evidently acted more in personal interest or under undue pressure or under any bigger conspiracy to malign and defame the present management of the WFI or president for vested interest only.
“The protesting wrestlers are accountable to explain for themselves, to the public as well as the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, particularly when mostly the protestors are seen coming together from a particulars region/state of Haryana,” the federation wrote.
“It would also be worth drawing attention that even the next election of WFI is due in near future of 2023… that the protest is not in the best interest of the wrestlers, it has some personal as well as hidden agenda to dislodge the current management of WFI.”
The letter, signed by WFI secretary general V N Prasood, also said that the federation is ready to cooperate with the government and will provide all the necessary information the ministry seeks.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 21, 2023
DCW chief molestation case: Accused AAP member, sting done to defame Delhi Police, claims BJP

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New Delhi: The BJP on Friday raised questions over DCW chief Swati Maliwal’s molestation claims, alleging that the person she accused is an AAP member and her “drama” was part of a conspiracy which has now been “exposed”.
Several BJP leaders hit out at Maliwal, an Aam Aadmi Party appointee.
An immediate reaction was not available from the AAP on the issue.
Maliwal, chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, had alleged that she was molested by a drunk man while on an inspection at night and dragged for 10-15 metres by his car outside AIIMS with her hand stuck in the vehicle’s window. The accused, a 47-year-old man, was arrested.
BJP leader Shazia Ilmi tweeted that Maliwal’s “drama” has been exposed.
“@AamAadmiParty and… did a sting to defame Delhi and its police and serious questions arise on its credibility. Is cheap politics legitimate on the serious issue of women safety? she asked.
Former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh said by indulging in such drama, Maliwal should not weaken women.
Delhi BJP working president Virendra Sachdeva said Harish Chandra Suryavanshi, who was accused of harassing Maliwal, is actually a prominent activist of the Aam Aadmi Party in Sangam Vihar.

Sachdeva released a photo in which the accused is seen campaigning with AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal.
Sachdeva said with the revelation of the photo and Suryavanshi’s background, “it has become clear that the incident was a conspiracy of AAP to defame Delhi internationally by showing the city as an unsafe city for women”.
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#DCW #chief #molestation #case #Accused #AAP #member #sting #defame #Delhi #Police #claims #BJP
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 20, 2023
Florida nixes African American studies course, claims it ‘lacks educational value’

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Florida’s education agency, in its decision, doesn’t spell out exactly which law the course is violating, but the state in 2022 passed the “Stop WOKE” act that regulates lessons on race and gender in the classroom.
That legislation, FL HB 7 (22R), or the Individual Freedom Act, was passed by Florida’s Republican-led Legislature to expand state anti-discrimination laws and prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex. It created new protections for students and workers, including that a person should not be instructed to “feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” due to their race, color, sex or national origin.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who championed the “Stop WOKE” act, has sought to reshape how children are taught in Florida. His Education Department previously rejected math textbooks over “impermissible” content, including teachings on critical race theory and DeSantis vigorously defended a law that bans educators from leading classroom discussions on sexual orientation or gender identity for kids in kindergarten through third grade. He also used his influence and party cash to support dozens of conservatives running for local school boards.
The move is part of a push by Florida conservatives to root out traces of “wokeness” in education, efforts that are on track to continue during the 2023 Legislative session, which begins in March. Florida, for example, is now is gearing up to scrutinize diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education.
The AP program is said to be the first African American studies course offered by the College Board and is meant to help high school students earn credits and advanced placement at colleges throughout the country. They have been developing the course for more than a decade to intersect literature, the arts and humanities, political science, geography, and science to “explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.”
Florida’s decision to scrap the course statewide has been criticized by academics and Democratic lawmakers alike.
“This political extremism and its attack of Black History and Black people, is going to create an entire generation of Black children who won’t be able to see themselves reflected at all within their own education or in their own State,” state Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) wrote in a tweet.

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( With inputs from : www.politico.com )

January 20, 2023
Customs Officials Arrest 7, Seize 61 Kg Gold Worth ₹32 Cr; Claims “highest Ever” Seizure In A Day At Mumbai Airport

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The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport witnessed two separate operations by customs officials result in the seizure of 61 kg of gold valued at Rs 32 crore, an official said on Sunday, making it the department’s greatest value seizure at an airport in a single day, according to reports.
An official who said that the seizures conducted on Friday resulted in the arrest of at least seven travellers, including five men and two women.
He claimed that this was the largest single-day seizure in the history of the Mumbai airport customs.
Four Indians returning from Tanzania were found carrying 1 kg gold bars in the first operation; the bars were hidden inside specially made belts with numerous pockets, the officer said according to the report.
News agency PTI quoted an official who said that officials found 53 kg of UAE-made gold bars worth Rs 28.17 crore hidden within the passengers’ torso-hugging belts.
According to the official, a Sudanese national at Doha Airport gave the travellers their belts during the transit period.
He said a court had taken the four travellers into jail and remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. Similarly, he added that three passengers who had come from Dubai had 8 kilogramme of gold worth Rs 3.88 crore seized from them by customs officials.
He said that the trio, which included two ladies, was carrying waxy gold dust. The official said that the gold was cleverly hidden in the waistband of the travellers’ jeans.

He added that the trio were detained and remanded to judicial custody, and that one of the women was in her late 60s and using a wheelchair.
(With inputs from PTI)

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November 13, 2022