Wrestlers’ Protest: What are the Allegations Against WFI Chief & Why Delhi Police Cleared Wrestlers Protest Site, All You Need to Know
Produced by: Bhoomika
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Delhi Police has filed an FIR against wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Along with several other wrestlers, they had been protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police files FIR against
protesting wrestlers
"A case has been registered against wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and other organisers of the protest. A few wrestlers had come to Jantar Mantar at night (hours after Parliament inauguration) to protest, they were denied permission and were sent back," said Delhi Police. Some of them were also detained for about 10 hours
Delhi Police detains
protesting wrestlers
“There is no point in going home till we get justice. For 10 hours, we were detained at different police stations. I was the last one to get released,”said Bajrang Punia. Sakshi Malik said, “It did not take even seven hours to register the case while it took seven days for WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh to be booked.”
Bajrang Punia, Sakshi
Malik on wrestlers’ protest
The FIR was filed against the wrestlers while they were marching towards the new Parliament building in Delhi’s Central Vista, which was inaugurated on Sunday. 109 protesters were detained at Jantar Mantar on charges of rioting and obstructing public servants in discharge of duty. Know more about the protests by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan, who has been accused of sexual harassment
Wrestlers vs WFI chief
Brij Bhushan
30 Indian wrestlers including Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Anshu Malik and Bajrang Punia, launched a protest in January 2023 against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and its coaches for sexually abusing several wrestlers and players for many years. They called for disbanding the organisation
2023 Indian wrestlers’
protest
The Centre promised to take the required action, following which the wrestlers’ protest was called off
Union govt’s response
on wrestlers’ protest
In January, the government formed an oversight committee led by Mary Kom. It questioned WFI chief Brij Bhushan and then submitted its report to the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Wrestler Babita Phogat claimed that the statements of Brij Bhushan were not cross-verified. The findings of the committee have not been made public yet. In April, the wrestlers resumed the protest demanding the arrest of BJP MP Brij Bhushan
Govt committee formed
to probe the issue
The wrestlers have alleged that multiple incidents of sexual harassment of wrestlers have taken place, out of which four incidents have reportedly taken place at Brij Bhushan’s house. The incidents took place even during the tournaments in both India and abroad. After no FIR was filed by the Delhi Police, complainants approached the Supreme Court, which termed the allegations as ‘serious’
Allegations against BJP
MP Brij Bhushan
Delhi Police filed FIRs against Brij Bhushan and other coaches under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and other sections for outraging modesty on April 28. Protestors formed their own committee on May 7 and gave an ultimatum of May 21 to arrest the accused. The same day Brij Bhushan agreed to a narco test if the complainants also undergo the same test