India’s star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Mailk have alleged sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation President and BJP leader Brij Bushan Sharan Singh. On Wednesday, several wrestlers that have represented India on a national and international stage staged the protest against the alleged dark deeds of the Wrestling Federation President. The group of wrestlers have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
Speaking to the press, a teary-eyed Vinesh demanded a change in the federation administration, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the Indian Sports Authority to take action against the alleged accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. “I spoke out against it. Brij Bushan Saharan Singh was sexually harassing the female wrestlers,” she was quoted in an India Today report.
“No one takes responsibility for injuries. They talk of banning wrestlers from nationals. The WFI president called me khotasikka (useless). I wanted to commit suicide,” she was further quoted saying.
A gold medalist in both Commonwealth and Asian Games she alleged that at least 20 women Wrestlers have alleged sexual harassment by the President at national camp.
A President of the WFI for nearly 10 years, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a BJP member and MP from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh. “This has nothing to do with politics of any sort,” Phogat said in her protest.
The Facts of the Matter
Alleging sexual harassment against several female wrestlers by Wrestling Federation President Brij Bushan Sharan, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, along with a group of wrestlers, staged a protest today. She was joined by other star wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sonam Malik, and Anshu. These wrestlers staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Also Read: Celeb Loved ‘Invisible House’ in Joshua Tree, Southern California Hits Market for $18 Million
“WFI President Involved”: Vinesh Phogat
Breaking down into tears, Vinesh told media that several women wrestlers of India have been harassed at national camps by Indian coaches and even the WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma. “Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women Wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment,” Vinesh Phogat was quoted saying by Indian Express.
“Don’t know if will be alive..”: Phogat Breaks Down
Fearing for her life and safety, Vinesh Phogat said that several female wrestlers have complained about being sexually harassed and she herself knows at least 20 girls that have been harassed at camp. “Today I have said this, I don’t know if I will be alive tomorrow. People in WFI are very powerful,” she was quoted saying.
Coaches are harassing women, and some coaches who are favourite of the federation misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed so many girls: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat pic.twitter.com/AqUetaXsGa
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2023
Also Read: Lucile Randon, World’s Oldest Known Person, Dies Aged 118 After Surviving COVID in 2021
Wrestlers Give Ultimatum, Urges PMO
A winner of medals across Commonwealth, Asian Games and Olympics, she said that wrestlers across the world have suffered quietly for years and have decided that they won’t stay quiet anymore. She gave an ultimatum by adding that India’s top wrestlers won’t be participating in international or national sports meets until their demands are met.
They (federation) interfere in our personal lives as well and bother us. They are exploiting us. When we went to olympics, we didn't have physio or a coach. Since we've raised our voices, we are being threatened, say wrestlers at Jantar Mantar pic.twitter.com/980MkmIvhp
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2023
Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?
For the unversed, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a Bhartiya Janata Party leader who is an MP from Kaiserganj. He has been the President of Wrestling Federation of India for nearly a decade.
Urging support from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister’s office, Phogat said that if the wrestlers are promised by the PMO and HMO that their issues will be addressed, they will stop the protest, or else, the protest will be continued.
Follow Us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Flipboard | Google News
