Ace Indian Wrestlers Return to Delhi to Protest Against Federation Chief for Harassment
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In January this year, top Indian wrestlers staged a protest against the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, over sexual harassment and financial misappropriation allegations.
India's top wrestlers have returned to Delhi's popular protest hub, Jantar Mantar, on Sunday to seek justice over the sexual harassment of sportswomen by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Upset by the way the investigation has been carried out, seven women wrestlers once again approached the police on Friday and filed a sexual harassment complaint against Singh at the Connaught Place police station in Delhi.
© Photo : Twitter/@InsideSportINDAce Indian Wrestlers Return to Delhi to Protest Against Federation Chief for Harassment
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Ace Indian Wrestlers Return to Delhi to Protest Against Federation Chief for Harassment
© Photo : Twitter/@InsideSportIND
In one example, freestyle wrestler Sakshi Malik alleged that the police have not filed the First Information Report (FIR) yet based on their complaint during the press conference on Sunday.
The wrestlers similarly expressed their dissatisfaction and frustration over the delay and inaction by the probe committee and demand to make the probe report public.
"We want the report, which has recorded women wrestlers' statements, to be public. It's a sensitive issue, one of the complainants is a minor girl," Malik said.
#WATCH |Seven girls including a minor gave a complaint at CP PS against Brijbhushan Singh regarding sexual harassment but yet to be filed.There must be POCSO case. We've been waiting for 2.5 months...:Wrestlers protest against then WFI chief & BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Singh pic.twitter.com/SvAvSk9hNz
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023
Another ace wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, said that despite frequent follow-ups from the committee on the status of the investigation, they aren't getting any response.
"We will eat and sleep here, but won't move until action is taken. We have won medals for the country and have put out careers at stake for this...It has been almost three months," she said.
For his part, top wrestler Bajrang Punia said that until Singh is arrested, their fight to seek justice will continue and they won't end their protest and leave Jantar Mantar.
#WATCH | "We have been going through mental torture, it's about the respect of women athletes...We aren't receiving any response from Sports Ministry, it's been 3 months": Wrestlers protest against then WFI chief and BJP strongman Brijbhushan Singh pic.twitter.com/44qfs8APbs
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023
In January, the wrestlers decided to call off the protest after Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced an oversight committee to probe the allegations leveled by them on Singh.
Thakur said in the press conference that the Wrestling Federation chief will step aside until the investigation regarding sexual harassment charges against him is complete.
"The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. The wrestlers put forward their demands. I have assured them that appropriate steps will be taken. All allegations of sexual harassment and financial misappropriation will be investigated," Thakur said in January.
Meanwhile, an Oversight Committee under the chairmanship of legendary boxer MC Mary Kom is still looking into the allegations leveled by the wrestlers against Singh, the president, and coaching staff.