Lucknow: Hours ahead of the planned immersion of their medals in the Ganga, Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda told the protesting wrestlers that they got these awards through hard work and not due to any kindness by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana told reporters that the wrestlers should not immerse their medals in the river.
The wrestlers have accused the BJP MP, who heads the Wrestling Federation of India, of sexual harassment and are demanding his arrest.
Hooda wrote on Twitter, “Any sportsperson loves his medal more than children. These medals do not come easily. Years of hard work is required for this. When the whole world sleeps peacefully, then the players are sweating in the stadium for the medal. These medals remind us of those moments when the national anthem is sung and the tricolor is hoisted upon winning them.”
“These medals are the life of the players and sacrificing them is like sacrificing life. How sad the players must be that they have taken such a drastic decision. I request the players that these medals are the heritage of the country. You have worked hard and won for the country. Do not let them flow in the Ganges.” Hooda added.
(With input from agencies)