Wrestlers protest again; Demand to make the report of the committee public
Top wrestlers of the country, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, again reached Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest and demand from the government the report of the monitoring committee probing sexual harassment allegations against WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. demanded to be made public. The wrestlers, surrounded by a large number of policemen, also demanded registration of an FIR against the WFI chief. These wrestlers had staged a protest for the first time in January this year, demanding the dissolution of the federation. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, however, dismissed these allegations.
The six-member monitoring committee headed by veteran boxer MS Mary Kom submitted its report in the first week of April but the government is yet to make it public. “How long is the (government) committee going to take to submit its report,” asked Vinesh, a world championship medallist. It’s already been three months and we are still waiting to hear from him. Will the report come when the girls who lodged the complaint die?
“We are tired of asking the government to issue a conclusion in this matter. We have lodged a complaint at a police station in Connaught Place and want an FIR to be registered against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. “We (WFI) have nothing to do with the election process. We are more worried about our career. The (Paris) Olympics are round the corner and we want to start preparing in the right direction. will not do.
He, however, indicated that he would look for a role for himself within the national federation. Vinesh said, “You people can see who is running the federation despite such serious allegations. We only have the power of truth, which I think is not enough. At least the government can act on sexual harassment. We are demanding justice. We will continue to protest.” During the three-month period of the country’s top wrestlers making allegations, Singh appeared before the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the government’s inspection panel.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the wrestlers could not prove the allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief. Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik said, “We will not move from Jantar Mantar. This fight will not stop.” . The federation is running as before, conducting its national tournaments. So what’s changed?
He said, “When we protested for the first time, none of the promises that were made to us were fulfilled. Two days ago, seven girls, including a minor, lodged a complaint at the Connaught Place police station. Despite this they are not taking us seriously, not registering FIR. Don’t know who is behind this laxity, because such sensitive issues deserve immediate action.” Bajrang said it was his moral duty to stand by the protesting women wrestlers. The Tokyo Games bronze medalist said, “If we don’t stand by them, who else will?” “Even if I have to sacrifice my life for them, I am ready to go to that extent .
