Wrestlers' Protest 'Anurag Thakur tried to suppress the matter': Wrestler Vinesh Phogat's allegation amid #MeToo protest
New Delhi: India’s top wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who has been protesting along with other prominent wrestlers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Wednesday said that standing up against a powerful individual who has been misusing his power and position for a long time is challenging, media reported.
Olympian Vinesh Phogat, addressing the media, stated that it is challenging to take on a person who has been abusing his power and authority for an extended period.
According to her, before starting the protest at Jantar Mantar, the wrestlers had a meeting with an official, but no action was taken.
"We ended our protest after talking to Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), and all the athletes had told him about the sexual harassment. By forming a committee, he tried to suppress the matter there; no action was taken that time," she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Olympic medallist Wrestler Bajrang Punia said the accusations that the wrestlers' protest is motivated by the introduction of new selection rules for the Olympics isn't true.
"He (Brij Bhusan) is saying that we have made some rules for the Olympics and therefore these athletes are protesting; firstly, this is not about the Olympics, this is against sexual harassment. And if I talk about the Olympics rule; the federation will take trials of athletes coming from the Olympics, whoever they want," he said.
The WFI chief has stated that his resignation would indicate his acceptance of the allegations made by the wrestlers.
In response to his comment, Vinesh Phogat said that their only demand was for justice.
On Friday, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh, the WFI president, on charges of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers.
The BJP MP claimed that the majority of Haryana players support him, while only one wrestling family is protesting at Jantar Mantar. On April 26, the wrestlers organized a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to their grievances.
Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh said, "We urge PM Modi to listen to our Mann Ki Baat. Even Smriti Irani ji is not listening to us. We are trying to show them the light through this candle march."
For the past six days, the wrestlers have been staying and practicing at the protest location near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
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