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-four months before we sat at Jantar Mantar, we had met an official, we had told him everything that how women athletes are sexually harassed and mentally tortured when no action was taken, then we sat on Dharna,” Vinesh added.
Bajrang Punia, a wrestler, responded to claims that they are protesting against changes made to the Olympic selection process.
“He (Brij Bhusan) is saying that we have made some rules for the Olympics and therefore these athletes are protesting; firstly, this is not about the Olympics, this is against sexual harassment. And if I talk about the Olympics rule; the federation will take trials of athletes coming from the Olympics, whoever they want,” he said.
The WFI president claimed earlier on Saturday that accepting his resignation would entail 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 Malik 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.
