New Delhi, January 20, 2023 (PPI-OT):Prominent Indian wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Sumit Mallik and Bajrang Punia continued their protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the third consecutive day, today, against exploitation by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a startling revelation, Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday maintained that WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years. She maintained that at least 10 women wrestlers confessed to her that they were sexually exploited by Brij Bhushan Singh.
The wrestlers have also said that several coaches at the national camp in Lucknow have exploited women wrestlers. Phogat and other women athletes said that they would not compete in international tournaments unless Bhushan Singh was removed from the post. They have also refused to call down their protest until the government addressed their concerns. One of the most decorated women wrestlers of India, Phogat has won medals at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Meanwhile, India’s sports authority has cancelled the women’s national wrestling camp, which was due to be held this week, in wake of the protests. The wrestlers’ protest prompted the government to constitute a three-member committee to probe the allegations. On Wednesday, India’s sports ministry sought a response to the allegations from WFI within three days.
Bhushan Singh, who is also a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has full backing of his party. The BJP is turning a blind eye to these serious allegations against him.
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