PT Usha enters the ring as wrestlers continue protest
The protest by Indian wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi has made a considerable impact. The protest, which began first in January 2023, has started again as the wrestlers feel that they haven’t been given justice as promised by the central government.
Sports persons like Neeraj Chopra, Kapil Dev, Sania Mirza, Harbhajan Singh, and actors including Swara Bhaskar and Urmila Matondkar have come out in support of the wrestlers.
What’s happening? The protest against BJP MP and WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh started again on April 23 when seven women wrestlers including a minor tried to file an FIR against Singh on April 21 for sexually harassing them since 2012.
The women have alleged that on at least four occasions, the harassment took place at Singh’s office on Asoka Road, New Delhi. The women have alleged that incidents of harassment continued even on the international tours.
But their FIR was not registered by the police.
This led to wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and several others starting their protest at Jantar Mantar seeking justice.
Why the protest was called off? The protest was called off on January 23 after an Oversight Committee was set up to investigate the matter and it was to submit its findings within four weeks.
However, as no action has been taken against Singh, the protesters felt that they have been betrayed.
The distraught protesters are demanding that an FIR be filed against Singh on the complaint of the seven women wrestlers.
Disheartened and upset: As the wrestlers are protesting, they are upset with the government which had assured them that an action would be taken after an inquiry.
Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat repeatedly broke down over the trauma they have been going through for the past few months.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Vinesh Phogat said: “It’s being said that we haven’t given any evidence to support our claims. Has anyone asked Brij Bhushan if he has given any proof.”
PT Usha hits out at protesters: The matter became even more controversial when Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief and former star Indian athlete PT Usha targeted the protesters. She called the protest an act of “indiscipline” and said that the protesting wrestlers were “tarnishing the image of the country.”
This left the wrestlers shocked and upset. Reacting to Usha’s statement, Vinesh Phogat said that she was shocked to hear such a comment from legendary athlete like PT Usha.
Sakshi Malik also expressed her displeasure over Usha’s statement saying that “Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) isn’t listening to women athletes. Where’s the indiscipline here, we are sitting peacefully.”
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud has called the allegations of seven women wrestlers against Singh “serious”.
On Tuesday (April 25), the CJI had also said that the names of the complainants have been redacted to protect their identities.
What’s next? The protesting wrestlers are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) Act, the dissolving of the federation, and removal of Singh as WFI President.
They also want the findings of the Oversight Committee to be made public.
Supreme Court orders that FIR be filed against Singh: The Supreme Court on Friday (April 28) directed the Delhi Police to file an FIR against Singh. The apex court and has directed the Delhi Police to provide security to the minor girl (one of the seven wrestlers who had lodged complaint against Singh).
"We direct the Delhi Police to make an adequate assessment of threat perception and provide security to the minor girl. Affidavit shall be filed in steps taken to provide security to minor girl," CJI DY Chandrachud said. The matter will be next heard on May 5.