CNN
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Several main Indian wrestlers are not easy an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment towards the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), amid a days-long protest in New Delhi.
The wrestlers also are calling for the president’s dismissal and the dissolution of the WFI.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and shared on Twitter, 5 wrestlers say “several young wrestlers” have raised critical lawsuits of “sexual harassment” towards WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The wrestlers were protesting for the previous 3 days within the Indian capital of New Delhi and feature attended a number of conferences with senior executive officers.
Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat, at the side of 4 others, have mentioned they’re talking on behalf of the accusers to give protection to their id and feature now not publicly launched information about the younger wrestlers’ accusations.
In the letter, Phogat herself says she “was mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI president” and says “she almost contemplated suicide” because of the force she was once underneath.
CNN reached out to the WFI for remark and Vinod Tomar, the federation’s assistant secretary, denied the entire accusations.
“An inquiry is going on,” Tomar added. “These are allegations only and yet to be proved.”
CNN additionally reached out to the WFI president and his place of job declined to remark on the time.
The federation additionally postponed a press convention scheduled for Friday.
Meanwhile, the president of the IOA is voicing her toughen for the protesting wrestlers. PT Usha tweeted Thursday that the welfare of athletes was once of the perfect precedence.
“We request athletes to come forward and voice their concerns with us. We will ensure a complete investigation to ensure justice,” she added.
In the letter, Phogat and her fellow wrestlers say “it has taken a lot of courage for the wrestlers to come together” and record their lawsuits towards Singh, who’s a member of the Indian Parliament with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
“We fear for our lives,” they added.
Phogat, the primary feminine Indian wrestler to win gold on the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, tweeted Wednesday, “The players want self-respect,” including that “if the federation does not support them, the morale breaks down.”
India’s sports activities ministry has requested the WFI to answer the allegations inside of 72 hours, Anurag Thakur, the Indian Sports Minister instructed native newshounds Thursday.
In a statement on Twitter, flesh presser Babita Kumari Phogat, a former feminine wrestler and three-time Commonwealth Games medalist, mentioned she stands together with her fellow wrestlers.
“I am with my players in this fight. I have full faith in the government that it will do justice to the sportspersons of the country who raise the country’s honor in the world,” she mentioned.