Top Indian wrestlers, including Olympic medallists, have accused their federation chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, of sexual harassment. The Indian wrestling federation, which has been criticized for its sexual harassment practices, has been accused of groping women athletes and demanding sexual favors.
Olympic medallists and other Indian wrestling champions participated in a weeks-long sit-in in New Delhi, accusing Singh of groping women athletes and demanding sexual favors. Singh, a powerful legislator for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was charged with sexual harassment and stalking on June 15.
The wrestlers, including world championship bronze medallist Vinesh Phogat and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, have stated that their fight will continue in court, not on the road until justice is obtained.
The wrestling federation is popular in rural northern India, and images of star athletes being detained during a march to parliament in May went viral. The government has denied Singh's role in a shake-up in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), with elections expected in July. The wrestlers have stated that the election process has begun regarding the reform in WFI.
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