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Journalism of Courage
Since none of the ruling party’s women parliamentarians have expressed grievances after 22 days of protests, grapplers have written an open letter to the Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) women MPs to extend their support, Vinesh Phogat said on Sunday.
“When you talk about the safety of women in this country and helping them fight for their dignity, then we are also your daughters, and we are also fighting for the same dignity,” Vinesh said at a press conference at Jantar Mantar.
“We are writing an open letter which we will deliver by hand and by email, and we hope that our grievances will reach you and some of you come out in our support.”
Vinesh, joined by top wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, have been protesting in the capital demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, also a BJP MP, alleging sexual harassment and exploitation.
Overwhelmed by the support that the protests have received from around the country, Vinesh also urged young women across the country to show that first step of courage and speak out in cases of sexual harassment.
“We feel really proud. It took us a long time to speak out, but we had no idea that we would receive this kind of support from our family and other well-wishers,” she said.
“That’s why I would like to tell any other young women that are waiting for getting justice but are hesitating to raise their voices, leave your house and speak up, come back and tell me if the entire country does not stand with you.”
‘First step towards victory’
In the aftermath of the protests, which first kicked off in January but continued again in April after the wrestlers felt a lack of action, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formulated an ad-hoc committee to ensure fresh elections take place for the federation within 45 days of the formation of the committee, made up of Wushu Association of India president Bhupender Singh Bajwa, rifle coach Suma Shirur, and a retired high-court judge that is yet to be appointed. This panel was also tasked with handling the day-to-day activities of the federation.
On Friday, the IOA sent a letter to the WFI to confirm that the ad-hoc panel will take full control of the administrative and financial functions of the federation, a move the wrestlers consider to be the “first step” in their fight against Brijbhushan.
“The IOA’s statement (on the dissolution of the current WFI) is the first step towards victory in our fight. And we will continue this fight until we get justice,” Bajrang said.
