The wrestlers have alleged that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the President of the Indian Wrestling Federation, has sexually harassed them, which has led to a protest by the wrestlers. In Delhi, Indian wrestlers have been demonstrating against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Recently, a group of prominent wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, along with other wrestlers, had planned to immerse their medals in the Ganges River. The protest has gained momentum due to the perceived lack of action taken against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The protest has garnered nationwide reactions, and star wrestlers Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat, and their father Mahavir Phogat, a recipient of the Dronacharya Award, have voiced their opposition to this protest.
Mahavir Phogat, a former wrestler and wrestling coach, expressed his concern, saying, “I cannot bear to witness the state of our girls. It seems like they are on the verge of giving up wrestling.” He further added, “I cannot bear to witness the current condition of these girls. I have dedicated everything and faced numerous struggles to make them successful in winning medals. But today, I cannot bear to see them in such a state.”
Initially, the wrestlers had decided to symbolically immerse their medals in the Ganges as a form of protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. They had reached the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar on Tuesday night for this purpose. However, after the intervention of farmer leaders, the wrestlers have reconsidered their decision. The farmer leaders have also sent a message to the central government through their involvement.
“We have not been heard by this government. We are not willing to accept the lack of action against the accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Then, what is the significance of the medals we have won for our country? We had come here to immerse these medals in the Ganges,” expressed the wrestlers. However, after the intervention of the farmer leaders, the decision to immerse the medals in the Ganges has been reevaluated. Nevertheless, the wrestlers have intensified their protest even further.
