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Last week, Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar, three months after ending their sit-in demonstration.
They are requesting a meeting with PM Narendra Modi to discuss the sexual harassment accusations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the lack of action by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Neeraj Chopra, India’s only Olympic gold medalist in track and field, has also joined the wrestlers in calling for swift action to be taken in the matter.
“It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud. As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not,” he wrote.
“What’s happening should never happen. This is a sensitive issue and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Pertaining authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served,” he added.
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) April 28, 2023
On January 19, 2023, Indian wrestlers initiated a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the dissolution of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by its chairperson against female athletes. The WFI’s assistant secretary, Vinod Tomar, was suspended following the protest.
Following a meeting with the wrestlers, Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister of Sports, announced the formation of an oversight committee to investigate the allegations. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) established a seven-member committee headed by M C Mary Kom to investigate the accusations before the wrestlers decided to end their protest.
The IOA is still investigating the allegations, and the committee’s findings have not yet been made public. However, on April 23, after three months, the wrestlers resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar.
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