Asian Video games and Commonwealth Video games medalist wrestler Divya Kakran on Wednesday defended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, who has been accused of ‘sexual harassment’ by high Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who among the many main an unprecedented protest in New Delhi from Wednesday. Kakran posted three movies on Twitter to strongly again the WFI chief saying she has not skilled or witnessed any cases of Bhushan misbehaving with a lady throughout her decade-long expertise of attending camps organised by the governing physique.
Phogat on Wednesday alleged that coaches who’re favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with ladies and harass them. She additionally accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing ladies and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat on the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
“Since morning, quite a lot of allegations have been made in opposition to WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. Nobody is questioning those that are levelling these baseless allegations. When previous allegations should not working, the accusers are looking for new allegations in opposition to Sharan. Since 2013, after I was 14, I’ve been going to camp and I attend it even now. Until day, he has achieved nothing fallacious with me or any girl for that matter. Wrestlers from Haryana and UP are supported properly by them and he makes positive that they don’t seem to be discriminated in opposition to,” mentioned Kakran.
Kakran additionally alleged that the wrestlers attending the protest are those who have been talking positively about Brij Bhushan and his work because the president of WFI a couple of months again.
“I can not perceive that those protesting have been posting simply two months again on social media that the arrival of Brij Bhushan Singh within the WFI as its chief had modified wrestling. These are the individuals who thank him for the awards they get and thank him for not making them endure any type shortages or discrimination. In addition they mentioned that right this moment nationals happen at numerous age teams, when it used to start out at 19 years of age earlier. There are rating collection, Khelo India occasions. These are occurring due to the cash from sponsors. At decrease ranges, youngsters expertise enchancment of their sport. Brij Bhushan is selling the game making use of his high workplace,” Kakran, who received bronze in final 12 months’s Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham, mentioned.
On the sidelines of a sit-in protest in opposition to the WFI close to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Phogat had mentioned, “Coaches are harassing ladies and a few coaches, who’re favourites of the Federation, misbehave with ladies coaches as properly. They sexually harass ladies. The WFI president has sexually harassed many women.”
“After my defeat within the Tokyo Olympics, the WFI president known as me a ‘khota sikka’. The Federation mentally tortured me. I might entertain ideas of ending my life every single day. If something occurs to any wrestler, the WFI president will probably be in charge,” she added.
Olympic-medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malikkh and Phogat led the protest at Jantar Mantar in opposition to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), alleging “harassment of wrestlers by the WFI by its arbitrary guidelines and laws”.
The protesting wrestlers additional accused the WFI of interfering with their private lives and exploiting them.
“After we went to the Olympics, we didn’t have physio or a coach. After we began elevating our voices, we have been threatened,” added one other wrestler.
Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia mentioned the wrestlers need the administration of the Federation to be sacked and changed.
“We hope Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Dwelling Minister (Amit Shah) will assist us in our quest,” added Punia.
Nevertheless, WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh denied any incident of sexual harassment and remarked that if such a factor has occurred, he’ll dangle himself.
“There was no incident of sexual harassment. If such a factor has occurred, then I’ll dangle myself,” mentioned the president throughout a press convention.
He additionally mentioned that he’s prepared for investigation.
“Sexual harassment is an enormous allegation. How can I take motion when my very own identify has been dragged into this? I’m prepared for an investigation,” mentioned Brij Bhushan.
A 2022 Commonwealth Video games gold medallist, Bajrang Punia mentioned the wrestlers won’t tolerate the continuing dictatorship of the Federation.
“We’d not tolerate the continuing dictatorship,” Bajrang informed ANI.
The primary Indian girl wrestler to win a gold medal at each the Asian and Commonwealth Video games, Vinesh Phogat, expressed her displeasure with the Federation’s administration on Twitter and different wrestlers together with Bajrang and Sakshee additionally took to Twitter to lift their voices in opposition to governing physique of the game within the nation.
“The gamers need self-respect as they put together for the Olympics and different huge occasions with full vigour. Nevertheless, if the federation doesn’t assist them, their morale breaks down. However we can’t bathroom down anymore and can struggle for our rights,” she wrote in a tweet.
In the meantime, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Assistant Secretary, Vinod Tomar on Wednesday mentioned he was not conscious what ace wrestlers, together with Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia and others have been protesting about.
He added that when the wrestlers method the Federation, all the problems will probably be resolved and sorted out.
“Have no idea what that is all about. Nevertheless, we got here to know from the letter to the WFI president that some wrestlers are sitting in protest. I’ve come to ask them about their downside,” Tomar informed ANI.
Tomar said that when the wrestlers formally method the Federation, all points will probably be sorted out.
Nevertheless, he claimed the protesting wrestlers nonetheless have not taken the Federation into confidence about their points.
“They haven’t but informed me what their grouse is. No difficulty has been raised with me or the Federation as but,” he added.