Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, other top Indian wrestlers resume protest against WFI at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar

The wrestlers reportedly tried to file a police complaint but were refused.

India’s top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik along with a few other athletes have once again started protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.

As reported by the IANS, “as many as seven women grapplers, including a minor, have tried to complain to Parliament Police station but the police officers refused to file an FIR”.

“We are getting threats from several quarters and after waiting for more than two months, we tried to file a complaint at the thana police station but the police officers shooed us away. We don’t know what is happening here and will start our protest again at Jantar Mantar till our demands are met,” a protesting wrestler said.

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The protest against WFI started way back in January when the top wrestlers wanted WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to step down from his post. The government interfered and appointed an Oversight Committee to look after the issue (allegations of mental and sexual harassment levelled by the wrestlers).

Legendary boxer Mary Kom was appointed as the chairperson of the committee and there has been no substantial report submitted to date. 

The Asian Wrestling Championships which was initially set to be held in India was shifted to Astana, Kazakhstan at the last moment due to the uncertainty prevailing between WFI and the wrestlers. Olympians Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik have not taken part in any tournament this year and failed to attend the trials for the prestigious continental championships as well.

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