Indian wrestlers, together with Olympians Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, resumed the largest battle of their lives. On Sunday, the Indian wrestlers returned to Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, demanding the ouster of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers had first sat in protest in January this yr, accusing the WFI chief of sexually harassment and working the federation like a ‘dictatorship.’ They referred to as off their stir after Indian sports activities ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which is headed by the legendary PT Usha, promised to look into the matter.

Three months have elapsed however there was no motion taken in opposition to Brij Bhushan, other than a rap-on-the-knuckles suspension. More importantly, seven feminine wrestlers, together with a minor, have area complaints in opposition to the WFI chief, accusing him of sexual assault, however Delhi Police haven’t but lodged an FIR in opposition to Brij Bhushan.

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The wrestlers have amped up the cry for justice, knocking on the doorways of energy – from the Supreme Court to Prime Minister Narendra Modi – to assist them within the battle. Unlike the final time, when the wrestlers protested from daybreak to nightfall, they’re staying put at Jantar Mantra via day and evening, sleeping on the footpaths and training on the roads. “We will sleep, eat right here till we get justice,” Vinesh Phogat stated on Sunday.

With the Supreme Court of India set to listen to the matter on Friday, April 28, we check out how the one of many largest uprisings in Indian sport has unfolded:

Why did the wrestlers launch a protest in January?

For probably the primary time in Indian sport, Olympians and Olympic medalists have been out on the road protesting poor governance, monetary irregularities and alleged sexual exploitation by the WFI chief.

In a letter signed by Tokyo Olympics medallists Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia, Rio Games bronze winner Sakshi Malik and World Championship medallists Vinesh Phogat and Deepak Punia, the wrestlers stated that they had been knowledgeable that a number of youthful athletes have been sexually harassed by Brij Bhushan.

“It has taken a lot of courage for us wrestlers to come together and protest against the WFI President,” they wrote. “We fear for our lives. If he is not sacked then the careers of all the young who joined the dharna will be over…we will not budge until the WFI President is sacked.”

Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 66, is a political strongman and veteran administrator.

A six-time Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, he’s from the ruling social gathering BJP and presently an MP from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh.

Brij Bhushan has been the WFI president since 2011.

A high-handed administrator, he was related to the Ram Janmabhoomi motion and as soon as admitted to an internet portal that he had dedicated homicide. In his 2019 election affidavit, there are 4 felony circumstances registered in opposition to him.

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What did the authorities do?

In lieu of the grave allegations in opposition to him, Brij Bhushan was suspended by the sports activities ministry.

Two committees, one by the sports activities ministry and one by the IOA, have been fashioned to research the fees levelled in opposition to him.

The IOA committee comprised of boxing legend MC Mary Kom, Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav. The committee additionally had two advocates – Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra – moreover former shuttler and IOA joint secretary Alaknanda Ashok as its vice chairperson.

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Meanwhile, Mary Kom, Dutt, former badminton participant Trupti Murgunde, former CEO of Target Olympic Podium Scheme Rajesh Rajagopalan and former Sports Authority of India government director (groups) Radhica Sreeman have been appointed on the sports activities ministry’s Oversight Committee. Babita Phogat, who was one of many protesters, was belatedly added to the Committee.

What did the Oversight Committee conclude?

Despite assurances of transparency, the findings of the committee haven’t been made public. The Oversight Committee, fashioned on January 23, had been given a one-month deadline.

“We have lost faith in the committee,” Vinesh Phogat had stated earlier this month. “We received some assurances from the government but they were not fulfilled too. We do not know the status of the report filed by the committee as well.”

What are the most recent allegations in opposition to the WFI chief?

Seven wrestlers, together with a minor, filed complaints in opposition to Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual harassment. According to experiences, they area separate complaints Friday with the Connaught Place Police Station in New Delhi, wherein they cited a number of cases of sexual harassment, from 2012 to 2022 and that a few of them occurred at Brij Bhushan’s official MP’s bungalow in New Delhi.

#WrestlersProtest 🙏🏽 @CHSurender360 pic.twitter.com/0pjb3apPig

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) April 25, 2023

The wrestlers need an FIR to be registered in opposition to Brij Bhushan, and that he be arrested beneath the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as one of many complainants is a minor.

“There is no action taken because the accused is from the ruling party and has protection,” Sakshi Malik stated. “The names of the victims who have complained have been leaked to the accused, Brij Bhushan Singh. Now, the victims and their families are receiving threatening calls to scare or manipulate them to withdraw complaints. It’s been four days and there has been no FIR till now. They are bargaining for time because they think they can break their courage and take the complaint back.”

Will the wrestlers’ protest finish if FIR is filed?

The wrestlers additional said that they won’t name off the protest even when an FIR is filed in opposition to the WFI chief.

“He (the WFI president) has to be arrested and put behind bars. So many people roam around freely despite an FIR being lodged against them. Will we be safe if he is free? And how will we train, if he is roaming free?” Vinesh Phogat stated.

Who all have joined within the protest?

Though the wrestlers didn’t need politicians concerned the protests in January, they’ve sought assist from members of various political events, farmers unions and khap (group organisations) leaders this time spherical.

The wrestlers have additionally questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is understood to personally congratulate athletes once they win worldwide medals, has saved quiet via the entire saga.

“These are daughters of India appealing to you, please do justice with them,” Bajrang Punia pleaded to the Prime Minister.

What steps has the judiciary taken?

The Supreme Court listening to on the matter is scheduled for Friday, April 28.

On Tuesday, April 25, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha additionally issued discover to Delhi Police on the wrestlers’ demand to register FIR, noting the “serious” allegations made by the gamers.

The names of the complainants may even be redacted from judicial information to guard their identities.