Led by some of India's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, the top grapplers of the country are staging a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, January 18. During the press conference that the wrestlers organised to share their grievances, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat levelled serious allegations of sexual assault against the president of the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"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".
Earlier, Bajrang took to Twitter to post pictures of the protest.
“The job of the federation is to support the players, and take care of their sporting needs. If there is a problem, it has to be solved. But what if the federation itself creates the problem? Now we have to fight, we will not back down,” Bajrang tweeted.
