India’s pride, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik came forward on January 18 and alleged that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually harassing women. Singh is also a BJP MP.
While addressing the media on Wednesday, the athletes said that they were speaking on behalf of women wrestlers who have been molested by the WFI Chief and national coaches.
‘Women Wrestlers Have Been Sexually Harassed’
खिलाड़ी आत्मसम्मान चाहता है और पूरी शिद्दत के साथ ओलंपिक और बड़े खेलो के लिए तैयारी करता है लेकिन अगर फेडरेशन उसका साथ ना दे मनोबल टूट जाता है।लेकिन अब हम नही झुकेंगे।अपने अधिकारों के लिए लड़ेंगे।#BoycottWFIPresident#BoycottWrestlingPresident@PMOIndia@narendramodi@AmitShah
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 18, 2023
Speaking to The Indian Express, Phogat said, “Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan. 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.”
Not only this, but Vinesh also tweeted, “Athletes want to play with dignity and self-respect. They give up everything to focus and train for big games like the Olympics and others, but if the federation does not support them, it breaks their morale. We will no longer bow down and stay quiet, instead, we will fight for our rights.”
While boycotting the WFI president, the wrestler also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
‘We Are Fighting For Them’
खिलाड़ी पूरी मेहनत कर के देश को मेडल दिलाता हैं लेकिन फेडरेशन ने हमें नीचा दिखाने के अलावा कुछ नहीं किया। मनचाहे क़ायदे क़ानून लगा कर खिलाड़ियों को प्रताड़ित किया जा रहा है। #BoycottWFIPresident#BoycottWrestlingPresident@PMOIndia@AmitShah@narendramodi
— Sakshee Malikkh (@SakshiMalik) January 18, 2023
Along with Phogat, Malik has also joined the fight. The Olympic medallist was quoted saying, “We have just come to save them. We are fighting for them. When the time comes, we will speak up. We will give the names of those who have been exploited to whoever is doing the probe.”
BJP MP & WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh Denies Allegations
When asked about the accusations, Singh denied everything. He asked, “Is anyone saying that the WFI has sexually harassed a wrestler? Only Vinesh said it.”
He counterpointed that no one has come out to say that the person was molested by the federation. He claimed and promised, “Even if one wrestler comes forward and says that she has been sexually harassed, that day I can be hanged.”
‘Exploitation Is Happening Every Day’
Phogat has come forward and alleged that the exploitation of women wrestlers happens every day. She claimed, “Why does the camp happen in Lucknow? We have written to the PM and the Sports Minister… The reason it is happening over there is that he has a house there, and so it’s easy to exploit women.”
The athlete has reportedly said that the chief and coaches trouble women wrestlers too much. They even get into their personal lives and relationships. “They want to know everything,” she added.
‘I Fear For My Life’
Phogat had said that she feared for her life because she was speaking up against some of the most powerful people in the country. “I have spoken today, and I don’t know if I’ll be alive tomorrow because of this,” she claimed.
The wrestler from Haryana added that she knew about 10 to 20 women athletes who have been exploited at the national camp over the past decade. She added that they cannot fight because they are not powerful.
“I can do it because I don’t mind if they stop me from wrestling. I have a house, I have food. I am here because I don’t mind future generations going through this sadness and pain. We have only wrestling as our livelihood,” Phogat added.
She said that the powerful people were trying to take away their livelihood if they spoke against them. “Our only option is to die, so might as well do good and die.”
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Other Wrestlers Supporting Vinesh Phogat & Sakshi Malik
Contrary to the claims of Singh, Phogat and Malik are not alone in fighting the battle. In fact, Olympian Anshu, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, national-ranked wrestler Sangeeta Phogat and world junior silver medallist Sonam Malik have also joined hands.
Athletes are sitting at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, protesting against the federation. Considering the new information that has come to light, the Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, has issued a notice against the WFI President. She has also asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Sports Secretary to investigate, gather details on the matter and submit the report.
In the latest development, the DCW Chief said that justice must be served quickly. The WFI president must be arrested, and strict actions must be taken against the coaches who have molested the wrestlers.
Prime Minister Needs To Address The Matter To Cease Protests In Delhi
#Jantarmantarpic.twitter.com/Q9otWpXoLw
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 18, 2023
Speaking to The Indian Express, Bajrang Punia said that wrestlers win medals for the country and after that nobody cares about how they are treated, especially by the federation. The wrestler said that until the Prime Minister and the Home Minister address the matter and assure that a full-fledged investigation would happen, the protests in New Delhi would not cease.
He also added, “Today, we will talk about the rot in the federation and the tanashahi (tyranny), which has been happening for many years.”
Protesters have made it clear that their fight is not against the Government of India or the Sports Authority of India (SAI). They are fighting the WFI.
Wrestlers & Coaches Give Gifts To Get Into The National Camp
अभी जंतर मंतर जाकर देश की चैंपियन #Wrestlers से मिली। उन्होंने हमारे तिरंगे की शान बढ़ाई है। बड़े दुख की बात है कि उन्हें आज इस कड़ाके की सर्दी में सड़क पर बैठना पड़ रहा है। हम मज़बूती से उनके साथ खड़े हैं और उन्हें न्याय दिलाएँगे। pic.twitter.com/XAPYOu8qLN
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) January 18, 2023
Vinesh Phogat also alleged that Singh had mentally tortured her in the past. “To get permissions, we have to beg. The assistant secretary also. The kids are giving him gifts (cash, ghee, milk) to get their name into the national camp. Coaches do the same.”
Phogat named a coach who paid money to accompany the women’s wrestling team to Tokyo. She claimed that he did not know anything about the sport, which cost them medals as they did not win any physio at the Tokyo Olympics.
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She added that after she lost in Japan, the WFI president called her ‘khota sikka.’ She confessed that she had thoughts of ending her life many times. The wrestler has asserted, “If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president would be the one to blame.”
Wrestlers Resume Protest
Image Courtesy: Instagram/therealkapildev
Recently wrestlers resumed their protest. They have urged Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha to act on the matter. However, she criticised their protest and said that they could have waited for a report by the committee.
She said, "The players should not have protested on the streets. They should have at least waited for the report for the committee. What they have done is not good for the game and the country." She also said that if wrestlers had any issue, and it was real, they must have reached out to the athletes commission instead of protesting.
"They have an equal responsibility of safeguarding the interest of our sports and sportspersons," she added.
Hearing about Usha's comment, Phogal said, "I am deeply shocked to hear such comments from a legendary athlete like Usha mam. We grew up idolising her and respecting her achievements. She was role model to us." The Times of India reported that Phogal was in disbelief that Usha could not understand the plight of female sportspersons who were demanding justice and have been spending nights protesting. "If she can't respect our sentiments, we shouldn't be respecting her. If she wants respect from us, she should also show respect towards the wrestler's cause," she further added.
The wrestlers have said that they will not leave the site of the protest until accused Brij Bhushan gets arrested. In the wake of this unrest, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Delhi Police.
Phogat asked if Usha would wait this long is she was harassed. Former cricket captain also came in support of wrestlers and criticised the delay in delivering justice. Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has also asked for a "quick action to ensure justice."
Politician Shahi Tharoor tweeted, "Dear PT Usha, it does not become you to disparge the justified protests of your fellow sportspersons in the face of repeated and wanton sexual harassment."
Dear @PTUshaOfficial, it is does not become you to disparage the justified protests of your fellow sportspersons in the face of repeated & wanton sexual harassment. Their standing up for their rights does not “tarnish the image of the nation”. Ignoring their concerns — instead of…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 28, 2023
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