Ajit Karn
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Taking the first action in the wrestler and WFI dispute, the Sports Ministry has suspended Vinod Tomar, Assistant Secretary of the Federation. Tomar had said on Saturday evening itself that most of the people of the Federation are with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and personally also I do not find the allegations of the players correct. I have been associated with Brij Bhushan Singh for 12 years, he is not like that. The allegations of the players are baseless. It’s been 3-4 days and they haven’t produced any evidence yet.
Federation said – personal agenda behind the protest
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has responded to the notice of the Sports Ministry. It was said on behalf of the Federation – the protesting players are defaming the WFI for their personal interest. They have personal agenda behind the protest. The president or anyone in WFI can’t do anything arbitrarily. There is no scope for mismanagement here.
The strike ended after a 7-hour meeting
The three-day-long strike by wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh ended at 1 am on Friday. This decision was taken after a 7-hour meeting between Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and the wrestlers. Anurag Thakur told that an inquiry committee will be formed. It will give its report in 4 weeks. Its members will be announced on Saturday.
Anurag Thakur told that Brij Bhushan Singh will not look after the work of the Federation until the investigation is completed. This committee will keep an eye on the functioning of WFI. Brij Bhushan has assured cooperation in the investigation. On the other hand, wrestler Bajrang Punia said, ‘The Union Sports Minister listened to our demands and assured proper investigation. I thank them. We hope that there will be a fair investigation, so we are ending the strike.
- 2 committees formed for investigation in one day, 2 meetings of wrestler and sports minister
Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and wrestlers engaged in a day-long sparring over allegations of sexual harassment. Both the parties were not ready to leave the ‘akhada’. Understand the events of the day like this… - 12 noon: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh announced to hold a press conference in the morning. He said that there is no question of resignation. If I open my mouth, a tsunami will come. He changed the time of the press conference 5 times. Sources told that there was pressure from above to cancel the press conference.
- 12 noon: Wrestlers write a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Wrestlers alleged- When Vinesh Phogat had missed the medal in Tokyo Olympics, then Wrestling Association President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh mentally disturbed her so much that Vinesh had made up her mind to commit suicide.
- 6 pm: Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat reach Sports Minister Anurag Thakur’s house. The meeting between them went on till late night. After this it was announced to end the strike. During this, the Sports Minister announced the formation of a committee for investigation.
- 8 pm: After this the IOA decided to conduct an inquiry. IOA formed a 7 member committee. These include boxer Mary Kom, archer Dola Banerjee, badminton player Alaknanda Ashok, freestyle wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian Weightlifting Federation President Sahdev Yadav and two lawyers.
- 8 pm: Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has canceled his Friday press conference. Brij Bhushan’s son Prateek told the media – Brij Bhushan will talk to the media after the annual meeting of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to be held in Ayodhya on January 22. Brij Bhushan Sharan has sent his reply to the Sports Ministry.
- 12 midnight: WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh tweeted that the press conference to be held after the General and Executive Body meeting of the Wrestling Federation of India on January 22 has been postponed till further notice.
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200 wrestlers returned after leaving the National Championship
This controversy has also affected the National Championship to be held in Gonda, UP. Many players from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab who went to participate in the championship returned on Friday. Delhi’s wrestler Pradeep Meena, who was involved in these, told that till now more than 200 wrestlers have returned. These people refused to play in the championship.
Now understand what is the whole matter
On January 18, about 30 wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, sat on a dharna against the Wrestling Federation of India at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Later, more than 200 players joined this demonstration. She accused WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches of sexual harassment by Olympic winning players. The wrestlers demanded the resignation of the WFI president.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said that our allegations are true. We should not be forced to come in front of everyone. We are fighting for our honour. We do not want to tell the whole country what has happened to the daughters of the country. The day all the girls tell the media what happened to us, it will be a disaster for wrestling.
If our demand is not accepted, we will file an FIR against these girls. WFI President Brij Bhushan will send Sharan Singh to jail. At the same time, Bajrang Punia said that there are 6-7 girls with us with proof, who have been exploited by the Speaker.
पहलवानों के धरने के बाद खेल मंत्रालय एक्शन में , कुश्ती संघ के अतिरिक्त सचिव विनोद तोमर सस्पेंड.
आज ही विनोद तोमर ने कहा था, 'आरोप आधारहीन हैं. ऐसा कुछ नहीं है. 3-4 दिन हो गए हैं, और उन्होंने अब तक कोई सबूत पेश नहीं किया है.#WFIControversy#WrestlersProtest pic.twitter.com/WTUq60bXnL
— Shivam Pratap Singh (@journalistspsc) January 21, 2023
