New Delhi, Jan 19: Unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Delhi's Jantar Mantar as an emotional Vinesh Phogat claimed that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for many years, a charge vehemently rejected by the sports administrator and BJP MP.
Along with her in the protests, several ace wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and nearly a dozen wrestlers began their protest against the Wrestling Federation of India at Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday. They alleged "harassment of wrestlers by the WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations".
The first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat, took to Twitter and wrote, "The player wants self-respect and prepares for the Olympics and big games with full vigor, but if the federation does not support him, the morale breaks down, but now we will not bow down, we will fight for our rights." Several wrestlers also tweeted the same.
On the sidelines of a sit-in protest against the WFI near Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Phogat said, "Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls."
"After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, WFI president called me a 'khota sikka'. The Federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame," she added.
However, WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh denied any incident of sexual harassment and remarked that if such a thing has happened, he will hang himself. "There has been no incident of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself," said the president during a press conference.
He also said that he is ready for investigation. "Sexual harassment is a big allegation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation," said Brij Bhushan.
Taking cognizance of the protest staged by wrestlers, the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from WFI and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations made. In its communication to WFI, the Ministry has stated that "since the matter pertains to the well-being of athletes, the Ministry has taken a very serious view of the matter."
The Ministry has further stated that if WFI fails to furnish the reply within the next 72 hours, the Ministry will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.
It is pertinent to mention that Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medalist wrestler Divya Kakran defended Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment, saying that she has not experienced or witnessed any instances of the same by Bhushan during her decade-long experience of attending camps organised by the governing body.
"I cannot understand that the ones protesting were posting just two months back on social media that the arrival of Brij Bhushan Singh in the WFI as its chief had changed wrestling. These are the people who thank him for the awards they get and thank him for not making them suffer any kind shortages or discrimination. They also said that today nationals take place at various age groups, when it used to start at 19 years of age earlier. There are ranking series, Khelo India events. These are happening because of the money from sponsors. At lower levels, children experience improvement in their game. Brij Bhushan is promoting the sport making use of his top office," said the wrestler in a self-made video.
