The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday issued notices to the Union sports ministry and the Delhi Police after a group of wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and double World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar alleging that Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had sexually assaulted the female wrestlers.
DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said it was sad and unfortunate that star wrestlers, who won laurels for their country at the Olympics and other prestigious events, were on the streets today protesting against the Federation.
"Olympian wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have brought laurels to the country, are forced to protest today. They say the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) President and coaches sexually exploit the players. Issuing a notice to the Sports Ministry and the Police to investigate the matter," she tweeted after meeting the protesters at Jantar Mantar.
Talking to reporters, Maliwal demanded that an FIR be filed against the WFI president and he be arrested soon.
"Justice should be served swiftly in this case. The WFI president should be arrested and stern action taken against the coaches whose names have come up in the matter," she said.
Earlier, in a startling revelation, Phogat had alleged that the WFI has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for many years and sought the intervention of Prime Minister and Home Minister for his removal.
Vinesh also claimed that several coaches at the national camp in Lucknow have also exploited women wrestlers, adding that there are a few women at the camp who approach wresters at the behest of the WFI President.
The 28-year-old though clarified that she herself has not faced such exploitation but 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.
"I know at least 10-12 women wrestlers who have told me about the sexual exploitation they faced at the hands of (the) WFI President. They told me their stories. I can't take their names now but I can definitely reveal the names if we get to meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the country," Vinesh said addressing the media after staging a four-hour dharna at Jantar Mantar.