Olympic wrestling medalists from India have accused the head of the local federation and coaches of sexually harassing female competitors and vowed to protest until the headquarters is disbanded and its president is investigated.
The Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, as well as Commonwealth Games champion Vinesh Phogat, began a sit-in protest in the capital New Delhi on Wednesday along with other athletes after they went public with the allegations.
They accused Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a member of parliament of sexual harassment. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh denied all the allegations against him and said the athletes had no evidence to back them up. The contestants stated that they know five or six national women who were victims of harassment in the past.
The athletes met with representatives of the sports ministry and received “assurances” to take appropriate action, Sakshi Malik, the first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, told reporters at the scene of the protest.
“We didn’t get a satisfactory answer”, added Vinesh Phogat.
The Ministry of Sports has announced that it will take a “very serious look at the matter” and has already requested a response to the allegations from the federation within 72 hours.
Bajrang Punia, one of India’s top men’s wrestlers, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat said they will not participate in any tournaments until adequate action is taken and the wrestling federation is disbanded.
