One of the protesting wrestlers reportedly said that seven female wrestlers, including a youngster, attempted to lodge a complaint at the Parliament Street Police Station but that the police personnel allegedly refused to accept it.
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On April 23, 2023, the top Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, reunited to continue their sit-in protest at the Jantar Mantar. This is in order to demand action against the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. An Oversight Committee headed by multiple boxing champion Mary Kom has looked into charges of sexual harassment made against Singh and the coaching staff. However, the report regarding the decision made by the Oversight Committee has not been made available to the public as of now.
One of the protesting wrestlers reportedly said that seven female wrestlers, including a youngster, attempted to lodge a complaint at the Parliament Street Police Station but that the police personnel allegedly refused to accept it. The Times of India, one of India’s leading news media, reported this. The wrestler continued, “We are receiving threats from various sources, and after waiting for over two months, we attempted to file a complaint at the police station, but the officers turned us away.”
Until their demands are fulfilled, the wrestlers have resolved to renew their protest and sit on a dharna (protest) at Jantar Mantar. However, additional sources verified that the complaint had been properly filed. The Indian Express quoted Bajrang Punia, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics freestyle bronze medalist in the men’s under-65kg category, as saying, “Yes, absolutely (the complaint has been filed) – at Connaught Place Police Station.”
Another wrestler clarified that they took this move because their initial protest to the Sports Ministry had resulted in no action. They are awaiting for the police to initiate additional action. A senior police official acknowledged receiving the complaint and said that an investigation had been started before a First Information Report (FIR) was filed. “We have received a complaint at Connaught Place police station and are conducting an inquiry before lodging an FIR. Appropriate legal action will be taken,” said the senior police officer.
Read More-Indian Wrestlers demand transparency from Oversight Committee
In addition, a complaint has been filed with the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Swati Maliwal, the head of the DCW, revealed that “several women, including a minor, have alleged that the accused person has engaged in sexual harassment against them during his tenure at the helm of the Wrestling Federation of India.” Swati Maliwal has also asked for an FIR to be generated against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in her letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to claim gold medals in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games, said earlier this month that the athletes were considering taking legal action against the WFI leader. Speaking to The Indian Express, the three-time Commonwealth champion said, “We have lost faith in the committee. We received some assurances from the Government, but they were not fulfilled either. We do not know the status of the report filed by the committee as well.”
Read More-‘Ji jaan lagake karenge, jitna hona hai ho jaega’ -Vinesh Phogat