Reporters Without Orders Ep 256: Wrestlers’ protest against WFI chief, Delhi Mayor election

28-01-2023 • 35 mins

This week, host Akanksha Kumar is joined by Newslaundry’s Tanishka Sodhi and Basant Kumar.

The discussion begins with Tanishka and Basant’s experience at Jantar Mantar as they covered protests against the Wrestling Federation of India and its President, Brij Bhushan Singh. The protests stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment and corruption within the WFI.

As they discuss their report on WFI’s ‘sexual harrasment panel’, which is in clear violation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (POSH) Act and power dynamics around sexual assault cases, Tanishka recalls how a journalist next to her claimed, “how is sexual assault possible in such cases…these women are wrestlers, they are physically strong”.

The discussion moves on to Basant’s report on Brj Bhushan’s rise to power, his political career as a BJP Member of Parliament and whether the allegations against him would harm the party’s politics. They further talk about the postponement of the Delhi Mayor’s election and election of the members of the standing committee for the second time.

Tune in.

Timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:47 - Wrestlers’ Protest

00:30:54 - Recommendations

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