NEW DELHI: Top Indian wrestlers organise sit-in protest against several coaches and sport’s chief, who is also BJP parliamentarian. Olympic medal-winning Indian wrestlers have accused chief of sport’s governing body and several coaches of sexually harassing multiple female athletes, with opposition questioning government’s silence. Wrestlers led by Olympic bronze winners Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, began protesting in capital New Delhi after accusing Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Sit-in protest has continued. Singh, who has been heading WFI since 2011, is six-time Member of Parliament from PM  Modi’s BJP.

Commonwealth Games women’s gold winner Vinesh Phogat said that coaches and WFI president have sexually harassed multiple girls. “Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also WFI president,” 28-year-old athlete said. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came out in support of the athletes demanding investigation into the allegations.

 “Our players are the pride of the country. They bring laurels to the country by their performance at the world level. The players have made serious allegations of exploitation against the Wrestling Federation and its president and their voices should be heard,” she tweeted.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 21 2023

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