Indian wrestlers including the first women’s Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other management members of allegations like sexual harassment. The wrestlers are protesting strong politicians that are capable of destroying their careers. Other wrestlers supporting the protest include- Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia.
The wrestlers are protesting at Jantar Mantar, a renowned protestors hub in Delhi. The ground recently hosted a farmer’s protest that was against a new farmers’ bill. Moving to the point; Currently, Indian wrestlers are protesting and demanding changes required in the WFI management. According to the wrestlers, the present members of the association are not ethical and are even involved in sexual harassment of the wrestlers.
Here are a few allegations against the WFI President and other members of the association:
- Coaches sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed so many girls. In addition to that, after the Tokyo Olympics defeat, WFI President called me ‘Khota Sikka’- Vinesh Phogat, Wrestler
- We want that the management of the Wrestling Federation of India should be changed- Bajrang Punia, Wrestler
- Since we’ve raised our voices, we are being threatened- Sakshi Malik, Wrestler
Indian Wrestlers Protest: WFI President Calls it a Congress Conspiracy
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has denied the allegations and has called it a conspiracy against him and the BJP Party. He further said that the career of the wrestlers protesting him is far from over as they won’t win any medal for the country now. Futhermore, he said, these wrestlers are working as puppets of Congress party MLA Dhirendra Singh. Congress has very artfully executed a plan to defame me and the BJP party as they are targeting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said.
Indian Wrestlers Protest: Will WFI President Resign?
The accused, Brij Bhushan is under great pressure as wrestlers are asking for his resignation. Regarding this, Brij said that he won’t resign with false allegations on his head. However, he has arranged a commitee meeting with WFI members on 22 January where they will thoroughly discuss the matter. Thus, the WFI president might give up as a conclusion of the meeting and may resign as well.
Also Read: #FarmersProtest: UN Human Rights Urges To Maintain Peaceful Protests
Here’s a video that went viral after the WFI President slapped a wrestler on stage for asking questions:
BJP MP & President of Wrestling Federation Brij Bhushan Sharan slapping a wrestler on stage for asking questions. He has been accused of sexual harrasment by many female wrestlers.
Other BJP MPs like Tejaswi Surya are also trending on twitter.
BJP has a knack for picking people! pic.twitter.com/Y8udPJbVJE— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) January 19, 2023
BJP की दरिंदगी का शिकार देश की बेटियां‼️
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat और Sakshi Malik ने BJP MP एवं WFI President Brijbhushan Singh पर लगाया यौन शोषण का आरोप!
Haryana खेलमंत्री Sandeep Singh पर भी लग चुका है Sexual Harassment का आरोप!
BJP नेता हर जगह बेटियों को नोचने को हैं तैयार। pic.twitter.com/K7GgFrjCzi
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 18, 2023
Break- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is trying to escape overseas. I urge the govt to not allow it until the matter is solved. @BajrangPunia pic.twitter.com/9KYrUAfCPl
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 19, 2023
'He left his hotel room door open, even though female wrestlers were living in the adjacent rooms,' says wrestler Anshu Malik as she recalls how Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh made Indian female wrestlers uncomfortable with his behaviour. https://t.co/X8n6QhdcXY pic.twitter.com/CpsOXmivwU
— The Quint (@TheQuint) January 19, 2023