CNN
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Several main Indian wrestlers are demanding an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), amid a days-long protest in New Delhi.

The wrestlers are additionally calling for the president’s dismissal and the dissolution of the WFI.

In a letter addressed to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and shared on Twitter, 5 wrestlers say “several young wrestlers” have raised severe complaints of “sexual harassment” in opposition to WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers have been protesting for the previous three days within the Indian capital of New Delhi and have attended a number of conferences with senior authorities officers.

Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, together with 4 others, have mentioned they’re talking on behalf of the accusers to guard their identification and haven’t publicly launched particulars concerning the younger wrestlers’ accusations.

In the letter, Phogat herself says she “was mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI president” and says “she almost contemplated suicide” because of the strain she was underneath.

CNN reached out to the WFI for remark and Vinod Tomar, the federation’s assistant secretary, denied all of the accusations.

“An inquiry is going on,” Tomar added. “These are allegations only and yet to be proved.”

CNN additionally reached out to the WFI president and his workplace declined to remark on the time.

The federation additionally postponed a press convention scheduled for Friday.

Meanwhile, the president of the IOA is voicing her assist for the protesting wrestlers. PT Usha tweeted Thursday that the welfare of athletes was of the very best precedence.

“We request athletes to come forward and voice their concerns with us. We will ensure a complete investigation to ensure justice,” she added.

In the letter, Phogat and her fellow wrestlers say “it has taken a lot of courage for the wrestlers to come together” and file their complaints in opposition to Singh, who’s a member of the Indian Parliament with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

“We fear for our lives,” they added.

Phogat, the primary feminine Indian wrestler to win gold on the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, tweeted Wednesday, “The players want self-respect,” including that “if the federation does not support them, the morale breaks down.”

India’s sports activities ministry has requested the WFI to reply to the allegations inside 72 hours, Anurag Thakur, the Indian Sports Minister advised native reporters Thursday.

In a statement on Twitter, politician Babita Kumari Phogat, a former feminine wrestler and three-time Commonwealth Games medalist, mentioned she stands along with her fellow wrestlers.

“I am with my players in this fight. I have full faith in the government that it will do justice to the sportspersons of the country who raise the country’s honor in the world,” she mentioned.