Vinesh Phogat Make Big Allegation: Anurag Thakur Tried To Hush The Matter

According to a recent report, Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat said that it is difficult to stand against a powerful person who has been misusing their power and position for a long time. She revealed that the wrestlers had met an official three to four months before starting the protest, but for the first time, no action was taken. Phogat also called out Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who suppressed the matter earlier by forming a committee but hasn’t taken any action.

Vinesh Phogat along with several other popular Indian woman wrestlers accused President of the WFI (Wrestling Federation of India) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, also a BJP MP. The Sports Ministry has now sought a response from the WFI within 72 hours on the allegations imposed by wrestlers against the federation chief and coaches.

Recently, Phogat took to Twitter and alleged that a member of the probe committee investigating the complaints of sexual harassment leaked information to the media. Phogat claimed that sensitive information regarding the complaint was leaked to the press.

She added, "Their attitudes towards women in evident from such behaviour".

Phogat signed off by requesting that the matter be investigated and necessary action be taken.

Vinesh Phogat Allegation On WFI's Chief: 10 Things To Know

1. On 18 January, Wednesday, Vinesh Phogat along with several other popular Indian woman wrestlers including, Sakshi Malik, Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha, and Sumit Malik, assembled at Jantar Mantar to protest against the sexual harassments faced by women in the sport.

2. Vinesh Phogat a well-known Indian wrestler and commonwealth games medallist in an official statement told she knows at least 10-12 women wrestlers who have faced sexual exploitation at the hands of (the) WFI President. 

3. Olympian Babita Phogat on 19 January met a group of fellow wrestlers, about 200 on protest in Delhi over sexual harassment allegations against the federation. Vinesh Phogat, one of India's most decorated women wrestlers and Babita Phogat's cousin, went public with the charges. Babita Phogat assures of quick action into the matter. 

4. WFI President Brij Bhushan Charan Singh refuted all the charges and called all the sexual harassment allegations fake. He also asserted he will commit suicide if they are found to be true, as per ani report.

5. Bajrang Punia, a fellow wrestler and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist also joined the protest and accused Singh. 

6. Vinesh Phogat herself never faced the harassment but claimed several wrestlers did. Only they couldn't forward of their humble origins. Phogat said, "Wrestling is our only livelihood, and they are not letting us do it. Our only option is to die. So might as well do good before dying."

7. Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik also affirmed the allegations and said, "Athletes work hard to win medals for the country, but the federation has done nothing but let us down."

8. Delhi Commission for Women issued a notice to the sports ministry and asked the city police to file a case. DCW chief Swati Maliwal met the protesting wrestlers at the Jantar Mantar.

9. Earlier, the coach of the country's national cycling team was sacked due to sexual harassment charges, and now these new development has come forward. 

10. India's #MeToo movement gathered momentum in 2018 and now spreading in sports too. The protest reflects the #metoo movement waves in sports. 

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