NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today, April 28, is set to hear the plea of wrestlers related to the sexual harassment matter against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Earlier this week, the SC issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on the pleas by 7 women wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR against WFI chief over allegations of sexual harassment, mentioning the matter is "serious" and needs its consideration. The petitioners argued that in spite of filing complaints, the Delhi Police has failed to register the FIR. The wrestlers asserted that they would not leave the protest site until Brij Bhushan, who is also a BJP MP, is arrested.
The wrestlers continued their protest on 16 April and demanded that the findings of the oversight committee that investigated the allegations be made public.
The wrestlers said that after being "sexually, emotionally, mentally, and physically" exploited allegedly by Brij Bhushan and his close conmpanies on many occasions, they have mustered the courage to raise their voices against such acts and sat on protest at Jantar Mantar seeking appropriate action against the perpetrators. WFI President Bhushan, meanwhile, made a personal video in which he expressed his desire to welcome death on the day he feels helpless.
Friends, I would hope for death since I won't be living a life like that when I reflect on what I've gained or lost and feel like I don't have the strength to battle any longer. I would prefer that death embrace me rather than living such a life, Brij Bhushan remarked in the video.
The president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, stated yesterday that the wrestlers should have addressed the body sooner rather than confronting the WFI chief in public. Neeraj Chopra, an Olympic gold medalist, has offered his assistance to the wrestlers. He has urged the government to act right away. "It pains me to watch our athletes demonstrating for justice on the streets. They have put forth a lot of effort to honour our beautiful country and make us proud. As a country, it is our duty to protect the integrity and dignity of every person, athlete or not. What is occurring should never occur.
"This is a delicate matter that needs to be handled with fairness and transparency. To guarantee that justice is carried out, relevant authorities must act quickly, Chopra said on Twitter.
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