Wrestlers vs WFI Protests: Vinesh Phogat to Bajrang Punia who said what

The president of the controlling body for wrestling in India has seven sexual harassment allegations against him.

Top Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia extended their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) head Brij Bhushan Singh at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar following sexual harassment claims against him.

On behalf of the wrestlers, including a minor, a writ petition has been filed under Article 32. According to the request, the Delhi Police Commissioner has been ordered to file an FIR against the WFI chief. Wrestlers have accused the organization and its president of sexual harassment and maltreatment.

The appeal claims that there was an excessive delay in registering the FIR against the WFI president. However, significant accusations, including Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), had been filed against him.

After three months of waiting, the grapplers picked up their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday, claiming that no action had been taken and that no FIR had been filed against the WFI chief.

Phogat claimed that for years, the WFI president had been harassing female wrestlers. As a result, the government appointed a commission led by experienced wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Mary Kom to investigate the subject thoroughly. The report, however, has not yet been made public.

Below are some of the quotes by wrestlers on protest

Bajrang Punia: "It's been more than 48 hours since the complaint was made, but an FIR has not been filed yet. This time, all parties are welcome to join our protest, whether it is BJP, Congress, AAP, or any other party; we are not affiliated with any party." [H/T - ANI]

Bajrang Punia: "I read an article in which one of the committee members said that the report has been submitted to the Sports ministry without his signatures. The member also expressed his/her disagreement with the report. If a committee member is not involved in report submission and disagrees with the report, how are we supposed to trust it? We were not even informed that the report was submitted to the ministry. We have to carry on with our sport, but we will protest and go to the high court as soon as possible." [H/T - Economic Times]

Sakshi Malik: "We wanted to file a sexual harassment FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Two days ago, we got a complaint filed, but FIR hasn't been registered yet. There are 7 female wrestlers, and one of them is a minor. We want the investigation to happen fast. It is a sensitive matter. We are being framed as liars, which we cannot bear. We are waiting for two and a half months now, but no one is listening."

"People are saying we are spent force; that is why we are protesting. We just won a medal at CWG 2022. It is being heard that we are finished; that's why we are protesting. For two and a half months the government has not taken any action. We cannot reveal the name of a minor. Otherwise, her name and career will get spoilt," [H/T - Economic Times]

Vinesh Phogat: "I went to take my medicine and wasn't allowed to enter the site. They (police) aren't allowing water and food to be taken to the site." [H/T - ANI]

Sakshi Malik: "A committee was formed 2.5 months ago, and we were given multiple assurances. We waited for months for the report and not a single demand was fulfilled. Seven girls have a sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan, still, no action has been taken. It was our mistake that last time when people wanted to support us, we did not let them; we will not repeat the same mistake. This time everyone is welcome; any party can come and support us. We will sit here day and night. Till the time we don't get justice. We will sit here."

"It is about our safety, and if we international medal-winning female wrestlers are not safe, then who is safe? We are from a wrestling family and we are trying to save it till our last breath. We don't know what the committee is doing. We are asking for justice and we came in front of the entire public to ask for justice and here we are again. It's been three months, and we haven't got justice, that's why we are protesting again. We demand justice, FIR has not been registered yet. We are grateful that DCW is supporting us." [H/T - ANI]

Here's what WFI has to say

https://twitter.com/wfi_wrestling/status/1650439603957137408?s=20

https://twitter.com/wfi_wrestling/status/1650452402531864576?s=20

https://twitter.com/wfi_wrestling/status/1650468378308669441?s=20