Sexual harassment charges against Brij Bhushan Singh taken seriously by Sports Ministry, seeks explanation from him within 72 hours

Since Olympic wrestlers including Vignesh Phogat complained against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its President Brij Bhushan Singh, there has been a flurry of action within the Sports Ministry. The Sports Ministry has been putting out fires and has declared that the situation is being treated as a "very serious matter" since it concerns the well-being of the athletes.

Sports Ministry seeks explanation from Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)

The Sports Ministry has given the WFI 72 hours to respond, adding that it will take action against the wrestling governing body as a preventative measure to quell the negative vibes it is causing to the sports in India.
The Sports Ministry released a statement in response to protests organised by prominent wrestlers including Vignesh Phogat, Shakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, in which 29 Indian wrestlers took part. Vinesh, a gold winner in wrestling at the Asian and Common Wealth Games, claimed that Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and other coaches had harassed female athletes, especially during Lucknow training camps in Lucknow.

Vinesh further claimed that she had thought of committing suicide as a result of the harassment she has received from the WFI president, who is also a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh . However, Brij Bushan Sharan Singh refuted all of Vinesh's claims and threatened to hang himself if other wrestlers came forward to confirm charges leveled by Vignesh Phogat.

The 28-year-old was clear that she had never been the victim of such exploitation, but she asserted that "one victim" was present at the protest that they had on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar. Vinesh further asserted that she had received death threats at the direction of the WFI President from individuals connected to him because she dared to bring up various problems affecting Indian wrestling when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Tokyo Games.

Also Read: Vinesh Phogat: Indian women wrestler creates history in Belgard, wins the bronze medal in Wrestling Championship

Excerpts of statement released by Sports Ministry

"Taking cognizance of the protest staged by wrestlers, including Olympic and CWG medalists, in Delhi today and a press conference in which wrestlers have levelled serious charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the President and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation, the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from WFI and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations made,"

"In its communication to WFI, the Ministry has stated that "since the matter pertains to the well-being of athletes, the Ministry has taken a very serious view of the matter."

"The Ministry has further stated that if WFI fails to furnish the reply within the next 72 hours, the Ministry will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011,".

Wrestling Camp in Lucknow cancelled

Sports Ministry’s statement also announced the cancellation of the upcoming national camp for women in Lucknow. There would be up to 41 wrestlers and 13 coaches at the camp, which was scheduled to start on January 18.

"The Women National Wrestling Coaching camp, which was due to start in Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Lucknow from January 18, 2023 with 41 wrestlers and 13 coaches and support staff, has been cancelled”.

Also Read: IOA wants inclusion of wrestling, shooting at Victoria 2026 CWG

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