Vinesh Phogat’s sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other unnamed officials are the latest – and most prominent – examples of sexual abuse cases in Indian sport.
Vinesh, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Championships medalist, claimed that Brij Bhushan and some coaches repeatedly exploited wrestlers, coaches and juniors. This came at a protest hosted by India’s top wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, in Delhi on Wednesday.
“WFI President sexually abused wrestlers,” claims Vinesh Phogat, while Bajrang and Sakshi join the protest
This is the fifth case in the past nine months that cases of sexual exploitation of female athletes have been publicly and officially registered in India.
May 2022
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A 19-year-old national-level runner filed a sexual harassment complaint against P. Nagarajan, a renowned track and field coach, in Chennai. She claimed the trainer inappropriately touched female athletes on the pretense of helping them with physical therapy and stretching exercises. Two months after the initial complaint, seven other athletes, including some who have represented India, made similar allegations. Nagarajan was arrested and faces charges under the IPC and POCSO Act.
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Gymnast Aruna Buda Reddy claimed her coach Rohit Jaiswal filmed her during the March 2022 court hearings without her consent. However, the Indian Gymnastics Federation did not penalize Jaiswal, prompting the Sports Authority of India to form a three-man panel and start a rehearsal. Despite this, Jaiswal was called up to the Indian Commonwealth Games contingent as a manager before being replaced at the last minute.
June 2022
January 2023
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Vinesh, one of India’s top wrestlers, claims Brij Bhushan has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years. “I don’t know how many women the Adyaksh are [president] has exploited. There are girls sitting here who have also been exploited. I can name at least 10-20 wrestlers in the national camp who have told me how they have been exploited. I’ve heard stories like this since I’ve known Adyakshji. I said frankly today, I don’t know if I’ll be alive tomorrow,” Vinesh said on Wednesday.
The Sport Department has asked the WFI for an explanation and has instructed it to provide a response within the next 72 hours, otherwise they will take action – it has also canceled the national women’s camp in Lucknow. The Delhi Women’s Commission has taken note of the allegations suo moto by writing to the Sports Minister and also asking the Deputy Police Commissioner to provide details.
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