Journalism of Courage
In a press conference after the Delhi Police told the Supreme Court they will file an FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Friday, protesting wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik revealed that they will continue their protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi until the MP is arrested.
“This is our first step towards victory, but the protests will continue,” Sakshi Malik said.
“This fight is not just about getting an FIR filed. This fight is about getting justice, to punish him, send him behind bars and get him removed from all the positions he holds,” Vinesh Phogat added.
Vinesh further revealed that the wrestlers have lost any faith in the Delhi police and will present further evidence only to the Supreme Court, not to any committee or the police. “We will accept what the Supreme Court decides, even if they go in favour of the report of the Oversight Committee. We have presented our face in front of the country’s courts.”
The wrestlers have been protesting since Sunday, demanding the removal and criminal action against Brij Bhushan over alleged sexual exploitation and harassment as president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
“If sports need to be rid of problems like this, then figures like him (Brij Bhushan) must not be allowed to get into positions of power, not just in wrestling but in any sport,” Vinesh said, appealing to athletes of all sports in India to come together.
Earlier on Friday, various high-profile sportspersons extended their support to the protesters on social media. Bajrang Punia thanked them all, in particular Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra, India’s only individual Olympic gold medallists.
Bajrang put to rest any doubts that the wrestlers would be content just with the filing of the FIR and Brij Bhushan sidelining from the federation. “There’s an entire list of FIRs against him,” Bajrang said, pointing to the life-size poster of the various cases against Brijbhushan hung at the protest site. “He’s got a lot of cases against him but is roaming free. Until he is behind bars, this protest will continue.” The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist said they will also track under which section the FIR will be filed by the police.
The wrestlers first arrived at Jantar Mantar in January, but agreed to disband after discussions with the Sports Ministry and the formation of an oversight committee. With fears that WFI is back in control, and doubts over the committee’s report, the wrestlers were back on the streets. Bajrang said the wrestlers were not supported by the ministry, or Anurag Thakur, the country’s sports minister.
“Anurag Thakur did not even pick up our calls, his office used to respond and tell us he is not available. He is now saying he spent ’12 hours’ with us, but in reality, he didn’t even spend 12 minutes with us,” Bajrang said.
When asked if they are open to having discussions with the government, Bajrang replied: “We have been sitting here for a week. Nobody has asked to have any discussion with us.”
