India’s sports minister, Anurag Thakur, has urged wrestling champions protesting against their federation chief for sexual harassment to await the outcome of investigations before taking further action. Thakur stated that the Delhi Police is currently investigating the case and requested that the wrestlers have faith in the probe. Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, as well as Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat, have been camping in New Delhi since 23 April, demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has denied the allegations. Singh has reportedly been stripped of his administrative powers.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been accused of sexually harassing female athletes. Singh has denied the allegations and has been stripped of his administrative powers.
The athletes – Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat – have been camping in New Delhi demanding action against Singh.
United World Wrestling criticised the lack of results in the investigations against Singh, and reminded the Indian Olympic Association of a promise it made to hold fresh elections for the WFI within 45 days in April.
