MeToo protest rocks Indian wrestling

Men and women athletes vow to take president of wrestling federation to the mat

- Rohini Mohan

BENGALURU - An unprecedented public protest by top Indian wrestlers alleging sexual harassment and assault by officials has roiled one of India's most popular sports.

New Delhi's Jantar Mantar heritage astronomical observatory and official civil rights protest site usually thronged by farmers and activists - was the setting for uncommon scenes from Jan 18 to 20, as dozens of India's top wrestlers in tracksuits and wearing medals protested against continual harassment that has lasted for years.

Some of India's best-known men and women wrestlers, as well as hundreds of their supporters, have accused Mr Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the country's wrestling federation, of sexual harassment, and demanded his sacking.

Ms Vinesh Phogat, 28, a 2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games champion, said that Mr Singh and other officials had sexually harassed women athletes for many years. "I know about 10 to 20 girls who have been exploited in the national camp over the past 10 years," she said in tears.