Anurag Thakur Tried To Suppress Sexual Abuse Matter: Vinesh Phogat Amid Wrestlers Protest

AMID ongoing wrestlers' protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinesh Phogat, India's ace wrestler said that it is tough to stand against a powerful person who is misusing his power and position for a very long time.

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and many other top wrestlers of India have been protesting against Brij Bhushan at Jantar Mantar demanding his arrest. Bhisan is facing sexual harassment charges levelled by female wrestlers.

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The women wrestlers first raised their voices in January earlier this year accusing the WFI chief of sexually abusing female athletes. After three months, the wrestlers resumed their protest on April 23.

While addressing the media, Olympian Vinesh said, "It is very difficult to stand against a person who is misusing his power and position for so long."

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She further accused Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur of not taking any action and suppressing the matter by forming a committee.

"Three-Four months before we sat at Jantar Mantar, we had met an official, we had told him everything about how women athletes are sexually harassed and mentally tortured when no action was taken, then we sat on Dharna," said Vinesh.

"We ended our protest after talking to Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), and all the athletes had told him about the sexual harassment. He by forming a committee tried to suppress the matter there; no action was taken that time," She, as quoted by news agency said.

Recently, the WFI chief asserted that if he resigns from his post it would mean that he has accepted the allegations which have been raised by the wrestlers. However, Bhusan on Monday said he would resign if his party ask to do. He also alleged that wrestlers' protest is "expanding like Shaheen Bagh" and the target of the protest is not him but the BJP.

The Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against WFI over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. Following FIR against him, Bhusan said 90 per cent of Haryana players stand with him while only one wrestling family continues to protest at Jantar Mantar.

(With ANI Inputs)