Vinesh Phogat Vs Brij Bhushan: ace wrestler says 'more girls will speak up when...'

Days after former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was charged with sexual harassment, one of the key members of the wrestlers' protest, Vinesh Phogat has spoken up about the Delhi court's decision.

In a special feature for the Indian Express, Phogat detailed how framing of the charges is a win for them but their battle will continue in the court.

The Indian Express report, dated May 12, 2024, began with the wrestler asserting that following the court's move, they as wrestlers can stand tall without fear and their head held high, look Brij Bhushan in the eye, the man they feared for so many years.

She continued, 'The framing of charges also sends a strong message that women can take on powerful men and they don’t have to be afraid.'

The charges were ordered to be filed against the BJP MP after a long fight that began with a protest in January 2023 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Talking about their 18-month long struggle, Phogat wrote, 'We were worried about him using his powerful connections to put pressure on the system but our lawyer had told us not to worry. The BJP has given his son a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections. That shows that they still support Brij Bhushan.'

The 2-time World Championship medallist went on to add, 'I can say that the day Brij Bhushan does not have the backing of the government at the Centre and loses power, there will be many more girls who will come forward and complain about him.'

Brij Bhushan, currently a BJP MP representing the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh, is not contesting the 2024 general elections. His son Karan Bhushan Singh has been fielded by the party, instead, from the same constituency.

Shedding light on speculations surrounding their protest and the reasons behind it, Phogat said, 'Some people believe we have been propped up because of politics. We can’t go and tell everyone that we have no agenda other than getting justice for women wrestlers, that we are not playing politics. '

In 2023, the protesting wrestlers garnered nationwide support, including from farmers' unions, and were detained by the Delhi Police in May that year.

Following that they issued an ultimatum to throw their medals into the Ganga river citing lack of action. Eventually, a chargesheet was filed against Brij Bhushan on June 15, 2023.

But the battle was far from over.

It took them nearly a year, including an absence from important sporting competitions and Sakshi Malik's retirement in protest, before the charges were levied.

Delhi Rouse Avenue Court ordered framing of charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under IPC section 354 and 354A that pertain to outraging woman's modesty and sexual harassment respectively, in the case of 5 women wrestlers.

Singh will also be charged with criminal intimidation under IPC 506(1) in the case of two wrestlers when charges are officially filed on May 21, 2024.

The former WFI chief, however, was acquitted of allegations levelled by a sixth woman wrestler.