World Championship medal winner Vinesh Phogat alleged Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually harassing women wrestlers for several years. She further alleged several coaches in the national camp in Lucknow were also harassing women wrestlers. She urges the PM and Home Minister to look into the matter.
Vinesh Phogat had a four-hour dharna at Jantar Mantar and she said addressing the media, “I know at least 10-12 women wrestlers who have told me about the sexual exploitation they faced at the hands of (the) WFI President. They told me their stories. I can’t take their names now but I can definitely reveal the names if we get to meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the country.”
Vinesh Phogat further stated that she had not faced this type of situation but received death threats from the persons close WFI president for addressing the Prime Minister about the difficulties that women wrestlers are facing.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winner Bajrang Punia told PTI that, “Our fight is not against the government or the Sports Authority of India (SAI). This is against WFI. ‘Yeh ab aar paar ki ladai hai’ (It’s a fight to the finish). We will continue this protest until WFI President is removed.”
(With agency inputs)
Edited by: Ritik Varma
Published on: 18 January 2023
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