NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has taken cognizance of the unprecedented protest staged by the country’s top grapplers, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games (CWG) medalists, in the capital in which women wrestlers have levelled serious charges of sexual harassment by the president and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India and of mismanagement in the functioning of the WFI.
The 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 stated that “since the matter pertains to the well-being of athletes, the ministry has taken a very serious view of the matter”.
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.
Rio Olympics Bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and World championships medallist Vinesh Phogat had on Wednesday alleged WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as well as coaches who are favourites of the federation misbehave with women and harass them.
Protest is for our rights
Demanding strict action against Sharan Singh and several coaches who have been accused of allegedly sexually harassing multiple athletes, hundreds of wrestlers sat on protest in Delhi on Thursday for a second day running. Top wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi, Vinesh, among others gathered at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 10 AM, and were joined by other members from the fraternity.
The wrestlers addressed a press conference on Thursday. Bajrang Punia, who had won a Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, told the media: “This is not a political protest. This is a protest for our rights. We thank all the wrestlers for joining us.”
Vinesh Phogat, on the other hand, said: “Women wrestlers have suffered enough, it’s time to speak up for our rights.”
Babita Phogat, 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, also joined the protest. “I’m a wrestler first. The BJP government is with the wrestlers. I will make sure that action is taken today itself. I’m a wrestler and I’m in the government as well, so it is my responsibility to mediate,” she said.
“I have heard instances of abuse in my career as well. There is no smoke without fire. These voices are important.”
Vinesh Phogat also accused Sharan Singh of calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Vinesh said, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”
“After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, the WFI president called me a ‘khota sikka’. The federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame,” she added.
The protesting wrestlers further accused the WFI of interfering with their personal lives and exploiting them.
“When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened,” added another wrestler.
Bajrang Punia said the wrestlers want the management of the federation to be sacked and replaced.
“We hope Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Amit Shah) will support us in our quest,” added Punia.
However, Sharan Singh denied any incident of sexual harassment and said that he is ready for investigation.
“Sexual harassment is a big allegation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation,” said Sharan Singh.
Bajrang said the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship of the federation.
“We would not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship,” Bajrang told ANI.
The first Indian woman wrestler to win a Gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat, expressed her displeasure with the federation’s management on Twitter and other wrestlers including Bajrang and Sakshee also took to Twitter to raise their voices against governing body of the sport in the country.
“The players want self-respect as they prepare for the Olympics and other big events with full vigour. However, if the federation does not support them, their morale breaks down. But we won’t bog down anymore and will fight for our rights,” she tweeted.
In a related development, the Women National Wrestling Coaching camp, which was due to start in Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Lucknow on Wednesday with 41 wrestlers and 13 coaches and support staff, has been cancelled.
The executive director of NCOE Lucknow has been directed to provide all facilities to national campers who have already reported and are likely to report, till the campers depart from the centre. Necessary information regarding the cancellation of the National Coaching Camp has also been sent to all campers.
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