The wrestlers first protested in January but say not enough has been done to end sexual harassment in the sport.
India’s top wrestlers have returned to the streets of New Delhi to protest against their federation chief and demand his “immediate arrest” after accusing him of sexually harassing several female athletes.
They have also asked the country’s top court for the registration of a first information report against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Such a document is written up by police when they receive information about the alleged commission of a crime.
Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most decorated female wrestlers and a protest leader, has accused Singh of harassing “several young wrestlers” and said she knew “at least 10 to 20 girls” who had recounted sexual harassment at wrestling camp.
The protest in January was withdrawn after the sports ministry stripped the WFI top brass of all administrative powers and asked an oversight committee to look into the allegations.
“This is not wrestling’s fight alone. I request all the athletes of the country, all the players, to come and join us,” the 29-year-old said.
Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik said withdrawing the protest in January was a mistake.