Wrestlers Protest Sexual Assault Allegations in Delhi-India.

The wrestlers are protesting their instructor, a Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) member, who is accused of sexual assault and harassment. The wrestlers have accused their trainer, Vinod Singh, of harassing and assaulting them sexually while they were in training.

Members of the Indian national wrestling team who are protesting claim that their coach, Vinod Singh, harassed and assaulted them sexually while they were in training.

A row of mattresses is laid up on the pavement in New Delhi as the women arrive at the temporary protest location shortly after sunrise with their things placed under mosquito nets.

They start training at eight in the morning; some run up and down the road, while others carry out exercises close to their tents.

Wrestlers Protest: Why They Are Protesting?

In a startling turn of events, wrestlers in India have protested on the streets over the alleged sexual assault of a teammate. Nationwide outrage over the tragedy has given rise to several cries for justice.

The accused is apparently a coach at the wrestling academy where the victim trained, and the wrestlers are requesting that the charges of sexual harassment be thoroughly investigated and that the accused be fired. The victim alleges that over a period of several months, the accused repeatedly harassed and abused her in a sexual manner.

Top female wrestlers in India are demanding further action be taken against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, whom they accuse of sexual harassment.

Singh is a significant politician and MP for India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party. His outrageous remarks and deeds as WFI president, such as hitting a juvenile wrestler on stage, have already made the news.

Any claims of sexual harassment are refuted by him.

Wrestlers Protest: Demanding Proper Investigation and Support

Following protests and the nation’s Supreme Court’s intervention, Delhi police last week filed two cases against Singh, including one for alleged child sexual harassment. The wrestlers contend it is insufficient and threaten to camp out at their protest location until the WFI fires him.

Olympic gold medallist and protest co-leader Vinesh Phogat declared, “We are Olympians, gold medalists, and world champions.” “There was a serious injustice. Our lives have been devoted to serving our nation.

Three months after India’s sports ministry promised to look into the sexual harassment claims, the wrestlers claim the government hasn’t moved quickly enough.

A representative of one of the most well-known wrestling families in India, Phogat remarked, “We realised we have just one avenue left… to appeal to the public.” “At least we’ll know the country is behind us if we get public support.”

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Singh accused the wrestlers of engaging in a “political game,” asserting that the protests were the work of opposition parties without offering any supporting information.

“I am 100 per cent innocent, and I have entire faith in the Delhi police and Supreme Court. Singh stated, “I am prepared for the probe.

Singh has been contacted by CNN for comment, but no response has yet been received.

Wrestlers Protest: Criticisms of passivity

When a number of prominent wrestlers demanded an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against Singh by younger athletes, the allegations against him first came to light.

Five prominent wrestlers expressed their desire to establish a “safe and secure place” for young wrestlers, particularly athletes, and women, in a letter they sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and posted on Twitter.

Among the signatories was Phogat, who in the letter alleged that Singh had “mentally harassed and tortured” her after she failed to win a medal at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She won gold at the Asian Wrestling Championships in the same year, adding to the gold medals she had already won at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.

The charges against Singh were first made public when many well-known wrestlers asked for an investigation into claims of sexual harassment made against him by younger sportsmen.

In a letter they submitted to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and uploaded on Twitter, five well-known wrestlers emphasized their wish to provide a “safe and secure place” for young wrestlers, particularly sportswomen.

Phogat was one of the signatories and claimed in the letter that Singh had “mentally harassed and tortured” her as a result of her failure to medal in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021. The same year, she added to her collection of gold medals from the Asian and Commonwealth Games by winning gold at the Asian Wrestling Championships.

We’re back on the streets because of that, she remarked. “We had to return.”

Anurag Thakur, India’s sports minister, promised an “impartial probe” into Singh’s accusations during a news conference last week. He emphasized the government’s commitment to India’s athletes and said the wrestlers had the chance to voice their grievances to a committee in January.

“(The) Modi government is always with the athletes,” Thakur declared. “Sports and athletes are our top priorities, and we will never compromise on that.”

According to certain BJP ministers who have openly defended Singh, the wrestlers have not offered any evidence to support their assertions. He asserts that he won’t give in.

“I have no issues with stepping down as president of the WFI. However, I won’t leave my position as a criminal, Singh declared at his news conference on Saturday.

Growing support for wrestlers

Political parties, human rights organisations, and advocates for women’s rights are just a few of the entities that have backed the wrestlers. Many people have used social media to show their support for the demonstrators and call on the authorities to take action.

By Friday noon, both young and senior protesters have gathered at the location. The women are joined by a group of nearby farmers, who remain seated at the scene in silence as the wrestlers deliver stirring remarks.

Men show up as well to lend their support. According to Tanweer Bharti, India’s “daughters” are battling for their rights.

They ought to receive justice, and I hope they do, Bharti added.

Wrestlers Protest: From Whom They Get Support?

Baljit Singh, a different supporter, claims to have travelled more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) to be with the women. “What has happened to these girls is very wrong,” he declared. “We are here to encourage them and to give them courage. They should be aware that we are here for them and will remain so until they receive justice, and that they are not alone.

The mother of a 13-year-old wrestler from the northern Indian state of Haryana, Komal Singh, says she wants her to see what it takes to be successful.

Singh stated, “I want her to take inspiration from them. She should learn what it takes to stand up for herself and understand that the journey ahead won’t be simple.

Wrestlers Protest: What Do People Have To Say About It?

Support for the wrestlers and their objectives is growing online as well.

On Twitter, Neeraj Chopra, an Indian athlete who won a gold medal in the javelin at the Olympics in Tokyo, expressed his pain at seeing his nation’s “athletes on the streets.”

He urged authorities to handle the situation “impartial and transparently” and said on Twitter, “As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual.”

Sania Mirza, an Indian tennis player, said: “As an athlete but more so as a woman, this is too difficult to watch.”

She stated on Twitter that “we have all celebrated them” since they had brought honour to our nation. If you did, then it’s time for you to support them at this trying time, too.

Protesters are ready for a protracted wait

Although Singh is still the WFI’s president in name only, he no longer has any operational control over the organisation.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced last week that a two-person committee had been formed to manage WFI’s office until elections were held to choose a new leader.

The organisation claimed in a statement that the “committee will be responsible to manage the affairs of the federation, including selection and participation of sportspeople in international events.”

The women are still sleeping on mattresses with mosquito netting in the stifling heat of New Delhi in the interim. As night falls, the electricity goes out, forcing the protesters to gather in the dark.

They might stay there for a while. Due to a significant backlog of allegations, India’s legal system is infamously slow, particularly when it comes to claims of sexual harassment.

According to experts, cases can drag on for years as many accused offenders are released on bail, sending the message that the law is unable to stop them.

Vrinda Grover, a human rights attorney, claims that sexual harassment of women is still “one of the biggest obstacles” in India and that women are “prevented from realising their full potential in this nation.”

When the accused is “powerful” and “a man with authority,” she claimed, high-profile incidents of sexual harassment become tricky.

The wrestlers believe they are ready for a protracted wait, including Phogat.

India as a whole is with us. It might be a protracted journey. However, I am confident that justice will be served.

Did they damage Indian sports?

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Indian sports have undoubtedly come under fire as a result of the coach’s alleged sexual harassment and misconduct. However, by raising awareness and promoting reforms aimed at preventing sexual harassment and assault within sports organisations in India, the wrestlers’ protests and statements against the alleged abuse may ultimately have a positive effect.

Some well-known wrestlers from India are protesting, including Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar. In India, wrestling has a long and illustrious history, and it has produced numerous champions who have helped their nation shine on the international scene. Though many are worried about the sport’s future because of the recent allegations that have cast a negative light on it.

However peaceful the protest has been so far, there have been a few violent incidents, including altercations with the police. Many have accused the authorities of acting slowly and not taking the allegations seriously enough in their criticism of how they handled the situation.

Several well-known Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, are protesting. Wrestling has a long and distinguished history in India, and it has produced many champions who have boosted their country’s standing abroad. Despite the fact that many are concerned for the sport’s future due to recent claims that have damaged its reputation.

Despite the protest’s overall lack of violence, there have been a few violent events, including fights with the police. In their criticism of the way they handled the case, many have charged the authorities with being ineffective and not taking the claims seriously enough.