Wrestlers on warpath against WFI chief - 10 Points

India's wrestlers are now engaged in the most unlikely wrestling match. They remained unrelenting in their demand for sacking BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from the president post of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). They made 'allegations of sexual harassment' against Singh. Here are 10 points you need to know.

Delhi: India's star wrestlers, including Olympians, continued their silent protest for the second consecutive day at Jantar Mantar here on Thursday demanding sacking of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom sexual harassment allegations were made. The protesting wrestlers included Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh and Bajrang Punia.

While the champions vowed to continue their protests till their demands were met, the WFI chief has denied any instances of sexual exploitation in the federation. The issue turned serious as India's talented wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia had made serious allegations against the WFI President. Solidarity kept pouring in from different quarters. Congress national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi asked PM Modi to speak whether this is a 'better environment' for India's players who bring laurels at the international level.

Here are 10 points you need to know:

1. On Wednesday, the sexual harassment controversy in Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) erupted following flash protest launched by India's star wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The nation was shocked as the wrestlers accused WFI President of highhandedness and sexual harassment.
2. Award winning wrestlers and Olympians like Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Anshu Malik, Bajrang Punia and Satyavrat Kadayan took part in this flash dharna on the first day.
3. The players continued their silent protest for the second day on Thursday. More wrestlers joined in the demand for sacking Singh from the President post of WFI.
4. Triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat, a decorated woman wrestler, went public with harassment charges. Later, India's Sports Ministry on Wednesday asked the WFI to respond to the allegations of sexual exploitation. Ms Phogat, 28, made the allegations against WFI chief and trainers at a public protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
5. WFI President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Charan Singh, speaking to a news agency, has termed the sexual harassment charges as false, swearing to die by suicide if these charges are proved true. Singh said he even tried to reach out the wrestlers but in vain.
6. Punia, who won a bronze at Tokyo Olympics, also joined the protest and accused WFI chief of high-handedness instead of extending support to the wrestlers.
7. Vinesh Phogat's cousin Babita Phogat, also a former wrestler and a BJP activist in Haryana, tweeted, "I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level." Later in the day BJP leader and wrestler Babita Phogat met with the agitating wrestlers at the protest site and assured them that the Center is with them.
8. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the WFI issue as a kind of 'Beti Bachao' warning to save our daughters from BJP leaders. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) asked the city police to file a case and DCW's chief Swati Maliwal also met the protesting wrestlers at the Jantar Mantar.
9. The allegations in the WFI come months after a coach of the national cycling team was sacked following sexual harassment charges. it is reminiscent of India's #MeToo movement that gathered momentum in 2018 after a Bollywood actress accused a senior actor of sexual harassment.
10. Taking cognizance of the seriousness of this matter, the Central Government has asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to submit a report. A continuous demand has come from the players to remove Brij Bhushan Singh from the post of WFI President. The protesting players are getting support from everywhere.