Top Indian wrestlers demand inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment against top official after days of protest in New Delhi

CNN
—

Some of India’s top wrestlers are demanding an investigation into alleged sexual harassment against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), amid days-long protests in New Delhi. .

The wrestlers are also calling for the removal of the president and the dissolution of the WFI.

In a letter to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and shared on TwitterFive wrestlers said that “several young wrestlers” had made serious complaints of “sexual harassment” against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers have been protesting for the past three days in the Indian capital New Delhi and have attended several meetings with senior government officials.

Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, along with four others, said they were acting on behalf of the accusers to protect their identities and did not make the details of the young wrestlers’ allegations public.

In the letter, Phogat herself said that she was “mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI president” and said that “she almost had suicidal thoughts” due to the pressure she was under.

CNN has reached out to WFI for comment and Vinod Tomar, the federation’s assistant secretary, denies all allegations.

“An investigation is ongoing,” Tomar added. “These are just allegations and have not been proven.”

CNN has also reached out to the WFI president and his office declined to comment at the time.

The league also postponed a press conference scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, the president of the IOA is speaking out in support of the protest wrestlers. PT Usha tweeted on Thursday that the welfare of athletes is the highest priority.

“We ask athletes to come forward and express their concerns to us. We will ensure a full investigation to ensure justice,” she added.

In the letter, Phogat and her fellow wrestlers said that “wrestlers had to be very brave to come together” and lodged a complaint against Singh, a member of the Indian National Congress of the Communist Party of India. The ruling Bharatiya Janata.

“We fear for our lives,” they added.

Phogat, the first Indian female wrestler to win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, tweeted on wednesday“The players want to have self-esteem,” adding that “if the federation doesn’t support them, morale will drop.”

India’s sports ministry has asked the WFI to respond to the allegations within 72 hours, Anurag Thakur, India’s Sports Minister, told local reporters on Thursday.

in one statement on Twitterpolitician Babita Kumari Phogat, a former female wrestler and three-time Commonwealth Games medalist, said she stands with her fellow wrestlers.

“I am with my players in this fight. I have full confidence in the government that they will do justice to the country’s athletes, who have raised the country’s honor in the world,” she said.