Wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have received support from several Indian film personalities. The wrestlers, including national award winners, have been protesting since Sunday demanding that the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated sexual harassment allegations against Singh, who is also a BJP MP. Delhi Police announced on Friday that an FIR will be registered against Singh.
Actors Swara Bhasker, Pooja Bhatt, Onir, and Sonu Sood are among those who have publicly supported the wrestlers’ cause. Bhasker said it was “shameful” to see the BJP MP being “consistently shielded by the govt.” while the athletes had to protest on the streets for justice. Bhatt criticized the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha for suggesting that the wrestlers should have approached the IOA instead of protesting on the streets. Sood expressed hope that the sportspersons of the country would “win the battle of wrestling against injustice.”
The protesting wrestlers, including top names such as Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, had demanded the disbandment of WFI and the removal of its president, Singh, over allegations of sexual exploitation and intimidation. The sports ministry had formed an oversight committee headed by boxing great MC Mary Kom in January and asked it to submit its findings in one month. However, the deadline was later extended by two weeks, and Babita Phogat was added to the probe panel as its sixth member at the insistence of the protesting wrestlers.
The wrestlers have vowed not to leave the protest site until their demands are met, and their cause has gained widespread public support. The issue has once again brought to light the prevalence of sexual harassment in sports in India and the urgent need for action to address it.