WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh calls sports minister Anurag Thakur to clarify wrestlers' allegations

On Wednesday, India’s top wrestlers staged an unprecedented protest against the federation's president and officials accusing them of sexually exploiting female wrestlers.

Wrestlers like Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, Rio Olympics medalist Sakshi Malik, world championship medallist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha, and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were also present at Jantar Mantar, media reported.

Earlier, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia accused WFI of harassing wrestlers and even hitting and abusing them.

Punia made it clear that their fight is against the WFI and not against SAI or the government.

'Yeh ab aar paar ki ladai hai' (It's a fight to the finish),” he said.

Bajrang Punia told the media WFI is being run by people who know nothing about the sport.

Bajrang's support staff, including his coach Sujeet Mann and physio Anand Dubey, also joined the protest.

Alleging that sexual exploitation and abuse have been going on for years, India’s star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, "I spoke out against it. Brij Bhushan Saharan Singh was sexually harassing the female wrestlers. No one takes responsibility for injuries. They talk of banning wrestlers from nationals. The WFI president called me khota sikka (useless). I wanted to commit suicide.”

Earlier, Brij Bhushan had hit out at the wrestlers accusing them of conspiring against him.

“This is a conspiracy against me, a big industrialist has a hand in it. When Vinesh Phogat lost, it was me who motivated her. Sexual harassment never happened. If even one athlete comes forward and proves this, I will hang myself,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.

The wrestlers began their protest at the Jantar Mantar on Wednesday and said they would continue until their demands are met.