Wrestlers Alleged Sexual Harassment by WFI President

As the wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar entered its 10th day, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Malik alleged that several junior athletes had approached law enforcement agencies seeking an FIR against Singh in 2012, but the matter was hushed up due to his political influence. In 2014, a physio named Paramjeet Malik and his wrestler wife were removed from the national camp after they spoke out against Singh’s alleged misconduct. The protesting wrestlers claimed that they were scared to speak up earlier due to Singh’s power and influence.

The wrestlers were also deeply disappointed by the silence of five-time World Champion boxer MC Mary Kom, who chaired the sports ministry’s oversight committee. PT Usha, who also serves on the committee, had stated that the protesting wrestlers were tarnishing the country’s image, a statement that drew widespread criticism. Sakshi urged Usha and Kom to understand the pain of other women and to speak out against harassment.

–Re-reported from the story originally published in https://indianexpress.com/