India's top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief is now resorting to strong arm tactics and trying to break the "victims" by issuing threats and offering bribes. Wrestlers reiterated on Tuesday that they will not leave the protest site until the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, who is charged with sexual harassment, is arrested and that they have the support of a number of politicians as well as organisations representing farmers.
The wrestlers, which included Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, claimed that the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is now using "strong arm tactics" to break the "victims" by making threats and offering bribes.
Vinesh asserted that Brij Bhushan, who is using Haryana Wrestling Association secretary general Rakesh and coach Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi to threaten the families of the women wrestlers who have filed complaints against the WFI chief, had access to the victims' names through the Delhi police.
"Brij Bhushan now knows the names of the complainants. The Delhi police has leaked the names to him. They are issuing threats. They are trying to break the victims and that's why the delay in lodging an FIR," Vinesh told reporters.
"We thought the sports ministry will give us justice but it did not happen. But we have faith in judiciary. If the Supreme Court takes everything related to this case under its wings and we are sure that no game will be played, only then we will leave the protest site.
"If just an FIR is lodged, we will not go from here. He has to be put behind the bars. If he remains outside, we won't be safe. How will we train, if he is roaming free," Vinesh said.
Would they be content if the police started an investigation and filed an FIR? "There are hundreds and thousands of FIRs against many people. But it is a question of justice. Only when are sure that we will not be tricked, we will end protest, otherwise we are here," Vinesh stated. Coach Mahabir Prasad denied the claims.
"I don't know who the victims are. I am being dragged into this because I had refused to be on the side of the wrestlers," Mahabir Prasad told PTI.
"They wanted me to be with them in the protest but I told them that while they are dear to me and I can help with the coaching part even if they call me in the wee hours, but I won't stand on one side because the federation has also helped me in my career.
"I chose to be neutral and the wrestlers did not like it, so they are accusing me." On Tuesday, a number of politicians, including former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and "khap" leaders met with the wrestlers who were protesting and offered them support.
A day after the wrestlers sought support from all sides, Hooda, Udit Raj, another Congress leader, and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, who was prevented from joining the uprising in January, were welcomed by the wrestlers.
At the Jantar Mantar, where the wrestlers had begun their January protest demanding the removal of the WFI President, Hooda spent approximately 35 minutes with the wrestlers.
SC Issues Notice To Delhi Govt
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court sent notices to the Delhi government and others regarding a plea by seven wrestlers claiming that an FIR was not registered regarding their sexual harassment claims against Birj Bhushan. The notices stated that these were "serious allegations" that needed to be taken into consideration.
The top court initially believed that the women wrestlers' plea might be scheduled for Friday. However, it decided to immediately take up the case after hearing some arguments from senior attorney Kapil Sibal, who mentioned the issue.
According to the bench, Section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (police officers' power to investigate cognisable cases) typically provides a remedy for contacting the police.
Sibal claimed that seven wrestlers, one of whom was a minor, had made allegations of sexual harassment, but despite the fact that the law is very clear on this topic, no FIR has been filed as of yet.
Babita Phogat Joins Oversight Committee
Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler Babita Phogat joined the oversight committee formed to investigate the various allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, news agency PTI reported.
The oversight committee, formed by the Sports Ministry, has been carrying out a probe into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses of the wrestling federation and its chief.
"Former wrestler Babita Phogat has been added to the panel of the Oversight Committee formed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to undertake the day-to-day administration of the Wrestling Federation of India," the ministry said in a statement.
Babita Phogat is the sixth member of the oversight panel that is being headed by legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, and includes former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former shuttler Trupti Murgunde, Radhica Sreeman and Rajesh Rajagopalan, ex-CEO, Target Olympic Podium Scheme.