The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is being protested at Jantar Mantar by India’s top wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, who has said it is difficult to stand up to someone who has been abusing their position and power for a very long time.
The WFI chief is accused of sexual harassment, and the wrestlers are protesting and calling for his arrest.
Yesterday, Olympian Vinesh Phogat said in a statement to the media, “It is very difficult to stand against a person who is misusing his power and position for so long.”
She disclosed that the wrestlers had their initial encounter with an official before to beginning their demonstration in Jantar Mantar. However, nothing was done.
“Three to four months before we sat at Jantar Mantar, we had met an official, and we had told him everything about how female athletes are subjected to sexual harassment and mental torture when no action is taken, then we sat on Dharna,” Vinesh continued.
Anurag Thakur, the Union Sports Minister, was also criticised by Vinesh Phogat for failing to act and for stifling the issue by creating a committee.
“We terminated our protest after speaking with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who had been informed of the sexual harassment by all the sportsmen. He attempted to bury the issue there by establishing a committee, but nothing was done at the time, she said.
Bajrang Punia, a wrestler, responded to claims that they are protesting against changes made to the Olympic selection process
“He (Brij Bhusan) claims that because we have established rules for the Olympics, these athletes are protesting; nevertheless, this is not a protest against the Olympics; rather, it is a protest against sexual harassment. And if I mention the Olympic norm, the federation will hire any athletes who qualify from the Games, he added.
The WFI president claimed earlier on Saturday that accepting his resignation would mean accepting the accusations made by the wrestlers.
Vinesh Phogat said in response to the WFI chief’s statement that all they desired was justice.
On Friday, Delhi Police filed two FIRs against WFI president Singh in response to claims of sexual assault and the exploitation of female wrestlers.
According to the BJP MP, 90% of the Haryana players support him, while only one wrestling family is still protesting at Jantar Mantar.
On April 26, the wrestlers marched with candles to Jantar Mantar in an effort to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hear their ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh stated to the media, “We want PM Modi to listen to our Mann Ki Baat. We are not being heard by Smriti Irani ji either. By conducting this candle march, we hope to illuminate their hearts.
The wrestlers have been sleeping and practising at the protest location close to Jantar Mantar in the national capital for the past six days.
