Vinesh accuses WFI President Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment
Renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat has accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing female wrestlers. Wrestler Phogat made the claim while protesting against the WFI President and the sporting body at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Several wrestlers joined her on 2nd day (Thursday) of the silent protest.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been in-charge of the WFI for nearly a decade. The 66-year-old was elected unopposed as the WFI president for the third time in 2019 for a three-year term.
Phogat’s Allegation Against WFI President
The Olympian wrestler alleged that she was subjected to mental harassment by Brij Bhushan, adding she had contemplated suicide. She said she was silenced in the past for speaking out against sexual harassment.
While speaking to the media, Vinesh broke down in tears. 31 wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, were staging a protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for 2nd day.
The wrestlers demanded change in the WFI administration and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sports Authority of India to take action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh.
Further, the Asian Games and CWG gold medalist said, “I spoke out against it. Brij Bhushan Saharan Singh was sexually harassing the female wrestlers.”
“No one takes responsibility for injuries. They talk of banning wrestlers from nationals. The WFI president called me khota sikka (useless). I wanted to commit suicide,” she added.
Death Threats To Wrestler Vinesh
Vinesh said she faced death threats for complaining and protesting against the WFI Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
In a statement, she said, “I have been issued death threats since I complained to the Prime Minister regarding harassment.”
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Wrestlers Join The Protest
Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik, who won the Commonwealth Games gold medal has said she was at the protest site as the face of many young wrestlers who were not able to join them.
“We are here for everyone. We are just the faces of so many young people around,” she pointed out.
Earlier, Tokyo Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia alleged that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh slapped wrestlers and abused them, often.
“Our fight is not against the government or the Sports Authority of India. It is against WFI,” he said.
Delhi | Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia & other wrestlers sit on a silent protest at Jantar Mantar for the second day against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) & its chief BrijBhushan Sharan Singh against whom sexual harassment allegations were made. pic.twitter.com/pAD7eD6tSN
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
