Wrestlers protest: Vijender Singh demands thorough probe into allegations

Vijendra Singh. File Pic

Olympian Boxer and Congress leader Vijender Singh on Friday demanded a thorough probe into the sexual harassment allegations against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, even as the country's top wrestlers continue the protest.

"I want the justice be served," Vijender Singh said, "there must be a thorough probe into the allegations raised by wrestlers and there must be a CBI probe against those who're involved in this," ANI quoted him.

He further said, "there must be a live recording of the interaction between the Union Sports minister or any official with the wrestlers so that we will get to know exactly what they've discussed and will understand who is wrong and who is right," as per the ANI.

Also Read: Wrestlers protest: Protesters write to IOA chief PT Usha, demand probe

The wrestlers, who have accused the WFI President of sexual exploitation and intimidation, continued their dharna for the second day as more grapplers joined them in what they called was a fight to give "a new life to Indian wrestling."

On Thursday, the protesting wrestlers had vowed to intensify their protest, saying the government has given them an assurance but no "satisfactory response" and they will lodge multiple FIRs against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh if the Wrestling Federation of India is not disbanded immediately.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia on Friday also wrote to PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association on sexual harassment complaints against Wrestling Federation India chairman Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

A team of wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawrat Kadiyan, was then called for a meeting with the government as they discussed their issues with Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, Director General SAI Sandip Pradhan and Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal.

During the one-hour meeting, the wrestlers were asked to end their protest and assured that their grievances will be addressed.

However, the wrestlers wanted a concrete and immediate action and decided to continue their protest unless WFI President is removed and the national federation is disbanded along with all the state wrestling associations in the country. (with inputs from agencies)