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The sports ministry has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) after country's top wrestlers including Olympic medallists levelled sexual harassment charges against wrestling federation in the protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday (Janauary 18).
India's ace wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia staged a protest against WFI at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, January 18. During the press conference that the wrestlers organised to share their grievances, Vinesh levelled serious allegations of sexual assault against the president of the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. and sports body's coaches. The wrestlers have called for the removal of the WFI president from the post.
The centre has said that if WFI does not respond in the next three days, the sports ministry ‘will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.’
"Taking cognizance of the protest staged by wrestlers, including Olympic and CWG medalists, in Delhi today and a press conference in which wrestlers have levelled serious charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the President and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation, 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 sports ministry said in the statement.
"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," the statement added.
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games' gold medallist Vinesh said that ‘national coaches molested female wrestlers over the years and were given death threats by WFI officials.’
"Was the travel of the WFI president important or a physio travelling with me and other female wrestlers important? He called me Khota Sikka and says gussa bhot aata hai (you have anger issues)", Vinesh opened up while breaking down during the presser.
"WFI President has harassed us and threatened us. They get us media negative coverage. After the Tokyo Olympics, they threatened me so much. These are the people of the federation. I am putting serious allegations cause it has happened to me. A few coaches who are dear to the federation exploit the girls in National Camp.
"I can name more than 10 girls who were harnessed and molested during national camps But nobody comes forward due to fear. Girls sitting here have also faced this," the 28-year-old added.
Bajrang, who won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, also accused the federation of money laundering, "President abuses players and harasses mentally. Tata Motors has sponsored us since 2018 but where is the money? Now they are saying that private sponsors will also come through Federation," Bajrang said.
Sharing the demands of the protesters, Bajrang said, "Our demand is a change in the federation and remove the WFI president. If he is not removed we won't participate in any competition. The protest will continue till this measure is taken".
The world championship medallist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha, Amit Dhankar and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were among 30 wrestlers who assembled at the famous protest site.
Meanwhile, WFI has refuted the claims levelled by the Indian wrestlers. WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has responded to the allegations and said, "I came here as soon as I got to know the wrestlers are protesting. Is there anyone on record who can say the Federation has molested us?"
"If you had such issues with the federation, then why did nobody raise them for 10 years? Issues come up whenever rules are formed."
"No truth in wrestlers' allegations against me, I am ready to be hanged even if one sexual harassment case is proved," the WFI chief Brij Bhushan added. "I will not quit as WFI President but I am ready for investigation by CBI or police."
"An industrialist is behind this conspiracy against me. Why Vinesh did not approach police if she received death threats," he further alleged.
