Indian wrestlers' protests continue in Delhi against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, while the grapplers have challenged him to a lie-detecting Narco Test to prove his innocence.
The protesting wrestlers on Wednesday demanded lie-detector Narco Test on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under Supreme Court supervision after he claimed innocence to allegations of sexual harassment. Some of the country's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold winner Vinesh Phogat, have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here for more than a fortnight, demanding the arrest of Singh for allegedly sexually harassing seven women wrestlers, including a minor.
"Those people speaking in favour of the WFI chief and saying that we are lying, I would say that Brij Bhushan should undergo a Narco Test under Supreme Court... and also the seven women wrestlers [who have alleged sexual harassment]. Whosoever is found guilty, hang them," said 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi at a press conference.
A day after Delhi police registered two FIRs against him on April 28, Singh had claimed innocence and said he was ready "to face any kind of investigation." Sakshi also appealed to the country's women to come forward and support the wrestlers as they did in 2012 when the Nirbhaya case happened.
"I would request the womenfolk in the country to support us just like they did in the Nirbhaya case. Express solidarity with us because we are also fighting for the cause of women. If we win this fight, we will have sent a strong message, but if we lose, we will go back 50 years," said Sakshi.
The wrestlers also decided to wear black armbands on Thursday as a mark of protest over the authorities' alleged inaction. "I appeal to all the individuals and organisations supporting us to come and join us in a black armband protest on Thursday. Tomorrow, we will express our opposition [virodh] by wearing black armbands," said Vinesh, the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, on a day that saw a significant surge in protesters.
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said that contrary to public perception, the agitating wrestlers were not against national competitions taking place. He said if the events occur under the supervision of the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad hoc panel, he would welcome them. "But, if the WFI chief is involved in any way, we will oppose it," said Punia.
"I request the IOA ad hoc committee to organise all the tournaments because we do not want to halt wrestling activity. We are not calling wrestlers here [protest site] because their training and preparations will suffer. We laud the constitution of the ad hoc committee. We have major international events such as the Asian Games and the Olympic qualifiers coming up," said Punia.
"The [ad hoc] committee should organise tournaments, [but] not someone who has serious allegations against him. Time and again, people say we are not allowing tournaments to take place. Let me clarify that we have not stopped any competition. But, my question is how can someone with so many allegations against him organise events," added Punia.
Asked if any official of the Sports Authority of India has approached the wrestlers, Punia said, "Look, people are coming, but we don't want assurances because once we have taken their assurance and gone back only to return [after three months]. This fight will continue till we don't get justice."
Punia also alleged that the Information Technology cell was trying to tarnish the image of the wrestlers. He, however, did not specify which Information Technology cell he was referring to. "The entire IT cell is trying to tarnish the image of the wrestlers. Sometimes you are making it look like a caste issue, sometimes a political issue, but let me say you cannot suppress the truth. It will come out. It is taking time, but the truth will prevail," added Punia.
Vinesh also requested sponsors Tata Motors to investigate if the money earmarked for wrestling was reaching the athletes. "Tata Motors has been supporting WFI for the last five years. I also appeal to them to ask WFI if the money is reaching the athletes," she wondered.
(With inputs from PTI)