Indian wrestlers are protesting again in Delhi, seeking the arrest of the former chief of the sport’s governing federation, Brij Bhushan Singh for alleged sexual abuse.
The protest was called off in January after the government promised to investigate their complaints.
Mr Singh on the other hand, has denied the allegatione.
The WFI had denied all the allegations made by the wrestlers, including that of sexual misconduct in January, but as the protests continued, the government suspended Mr Singh from his position and formed a panel to oversee the federation’s activities.
The Indian Olympic Association also set up a committee to investigate the allegations against Mr Singh, who is a lawmaker and politician from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. The committee submitted its report in April but its findings haven’t been revealed yet.
The wrestlers restarted their protests on Sunday, seeking Mr Singhs arrest. They added that seven women athletes had filed separate police complaints against Mr Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
They are also demanding that the government make public the report submitted by the panel that investigated the allegations.
On Sunday night, Vinesh Phogat, a two-time World Championship medallist, tweeted a photo of the protesters sleeping in the open.
“From podium to footpath! Under the open sky at night in the hope of justice,” she tweeted.
Ms Phogat had alleged in January that at least 10 female wrestlers had confessed to her that they were sexually exploited by Mr Singh. She had also said that they would not compete in international tournaments unless Mr Singh was removed from the post.
Experts have said that the protests by the wrestlers are significant as it was the first time that top athletes had come together to speak up against alleged abuse of power.
Chioma Kalu
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