Wrestler’s Protests: In response to #MeToo charges, the protesting wrestlers are demanding the head of the wrestling organisation be dismissed immediately, claiming they “fear for their lives.” The chief, though, had doubled down and refuted every accusation, adding that he would not step down.
Famous Indian wrestlers have been staging a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar for the past two days against the WFI president, accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation, and demanding that the federation be disbanded. These wrestlers include Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, along with Vinesh Phogat and others.
What did WFI President say on the protests?
In Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh told media, emphasising that he would not step down. He stated that he will have a news conference today at 4:00 PM. He said “If I speak, there will be a tsunami… I am not here because of someone’s help, I have been elected by the people.”
“Unfortunately we did not get a satisfactory response. Yesterday, we had 1-2 victims amongst us but now we have 5-6 wrestlers, who were harassed (sexually). We can’t name them now, after all they are daughters and sisters of somebody. But if we are forced to disclose their identity, it will be a black day,”Vinesh, a two-time World Championship medalist, said this when addressing the media on Thursday afternoon.
The centre had made it apparent earlier on Wednesday that the sports ministry, if the WFI does not reply within 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.” Prior to the meeting, the wrestlers wrote to PT Usha, the chairman of the Indian Olympic organisation, requesting for an action.
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Sports minister advises WFI president to remain silent
The protesters have been advised by the Ministry of Sports to be patient while it waits for the federation to respond. By 3 PM today, the wrestlers’ body will provide its response. Anurag Thakur, the sports minister, called Mr. Singh and advised him against speaking to the media or making any statements, as doing so would only make the situation with the wrestlers worse.
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