NEW DELHI: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi justified the allegations of sexual harassment made by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat and others against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, and demanded appropriate action.
The wrestlers have alleged that the president and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India sexually harass women wrestlers, and have been continuing it for years.
Gandhi once remarked that athletes are the pride of the nation because they represent it well abroad. She asserted that the players' views should be heard if they have leveled significant accusations of exploitation against the WFI and its president. She added that a proper investigation should be carried out into the matter.
On Thursday, numerous prominent wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, demonstrated against the WFI at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Punia claimed that the demonstration was a fight for their rights rather than a political one.
In his Twitter post, Wrestler Babita Phogat noted: "I stand with all my fellow players in this issue. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government" Vinesh Phogat, who has represented India in the Olympics, has alleged that female wrestlers have been molested and sexually assaulted by national coaches over the years.
Wrestling Federation of India president Braj Bhushan Sharan Singh, however, has denied these allegations.
Wrestlers' delegation reached Sports Ministry to talk along with Babita Phogat
Priyanka Gandhi to address women's convention in Bangalore