Grapplers Stage Protest Against Wrestling Federation of India Over Allegations Of Sexual Harassment — IN PICS

The country's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, staged a protest against national federation President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday.

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Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik stage a strike against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), in New Delhi, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. (Source: PTI)

In a startling revelation, a crying Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday alleged that Wresting Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for many years. (Source: PTI)

The 28-year-old though clarified that she herself never faced such exploitation but claimed that "one victim" was present at the 'dharna' they began at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. (Source: PTI)

Indian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Sangita Phogat and others stage protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), in New Delhi, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. (Source: PTI)

Vinesh also claimed that she had received death threats at the behest of WFI President from officials close to him because she dared to draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attention to several issues plaguing Indian wrestling when she met him after the Tokyo Games. (Source: PTI)

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, was elected unopposed President of WFI for a third consecutive term in February 2019. Taking note of the allegations, 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". (Source: PTI)