Indian wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: Grapplers receive support from prominent sportspersons

Top wrestlers Bajranj Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phoghat, and others have been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations that he sexually exploited female wrestlers.

Singh, a BJP MP and head of the WFI, has been charged with sexual harassment and criminal intimidation by seven female wrestlers. On April 21, they complained to the police, and as a result of the non-registration of an FIR, they have since gone to the SC. 

The wrestlers have demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds. However, Brij Bhushan Singh on Saturday (April 29) said that he is ready to quit but not as an accused. 

One of India's most well-known athletes and the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, incited fury on Thursday when she said that the protesting wrestlers were "protesting on the streets" and harming India's reputation. She advised them to speak with the IOA's athletes commission in its place. However, her comments drew sharp reactions from the protesting wrestlers.

Wrestler Sakshi Malik, an Olympic medallist who is part of the protests, asked how the protests amounted to indiscipline when the protesters were voicing their concerns peacefully. "Being a woman athlete, she isn't listening to other women athletes," she said.

The wrestlers receive support from prominent sportspersons:

Many athletes have come forward and expressed their solidarity with protesting wrestlers. The hashtag, #IStandWithMyChampions began trending on Twitter and sports stars along with social media users used it to show support for the protesting athletes.

Neeraj Chopra, Olympic champion in javelin throw, expressed his pain at seeing Indian athletes take to the streets to seek justice. He has asked officials to handle the situation in an "impartial and transparent" manner.

Former ace footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Saturday said, "It is extremely sad to see our athletes who have made India proud time and again have to sit on the streets to seek justice."

Another Olympic medallist, Abhinav Bindra also spoke about the issue and said that the athletes' concerns should be "heard and addressed fairly and independently".

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza said it was "time to now stand with them in this difficult time".

Boxing world champion Nikhat Zareen said that she hoped justice would be served at the earliest.

Cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan also took to social media to extend their support to the athletes.

Not just athletes, Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker too tweeted about the same and said it was "shameful" that athletes were protesting on the streets while a "BJP MP is being consistently shielded by the government".

Currently, the WFI has denied the allegations and accused the protestors of maligning its reputation. 

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that his tenure is almost coming to an end and in the next 45 days, there will be an election and his term will end.