Tag: Wrestling Federation of India

Wrestling Federation of India timeline | From allegations, elections to suspension

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BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with newly appointed WFI president Sanjay Singh, at his residence in New Delhi on December 21, 2023
| Photo Credit: ANI

Following is the timeline of the chain of events leading up to the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Sunday by the Sports Ministry.

It charts all the important events dating back from January 18 when the wrestlers began their protest at Jantar Mantar to the suspension of the Sanjay Singh-led WFI panel which was elected on December 21.

January 18:Wrestlers begin protest at Jantar Mantar, accuse WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation, demand his resignation and dissolution WFI.

January 19: CWG champion wrestler and BJP member Babita Phogat meets wrestlers, says she will speak to the government.

January 20: Wrestlers write a complaint letter to IOA president PT Usha, demand the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the allegations and appointment of a new committee to run WFI.

IOA forms a seven-member committee, including M C Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, to probe the allegations of sexual harassment.

January 21:Wrestlers call off protest after meeting Thakur. Sports minister says an Oversight Committee will be formed to probe the allegations and Brij Bhushan will step aside till the probe is completed.

January 21: Sports Ministry asks WFI to suspend all ongoing activities with immediate effect and schedule emergency AGM meeting of WFI. Assistant secretary of WFI Vinod Tomar suspended.

January 23:Forms 5-member Oversight Committee (OC), led by Mary Kom, to look into the allegations. OC given 4 weeks to complete probe.

January 24: Protesting wrestlers express disappointment that they were not consulted by the government on the choice of the OC members.

February 23: OC’s tenure extended by two weeks.

April 16: WFI announces election on May 7 after the OC’s report is submitted to the Sports Ministry. Report not made public.

April 23: Wrestlers return to Jantar Mantar, say 7 female wrestlers, including a minor, have filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan. Claim police has not yet registered an FIR. Wrestlers ask Sports Ministry to make OC’s findings public.

April 24: Sports Ministry stalls May 7 elections. Asks IOA to constitute an ad-hoc body to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation.

April 25:Wrestlers move Supreme Court seeking registration of FIR against Brij Bhushan. SC issues notice to Delhi police.

April 27: Formation of 3-member panel by IOA.

May 3: Scuffle breaks out between the wrestlers and Delhi Police, leading to head injuries to a couple of protesters. Protesters accuse “drunk officials of manhandling” them and “misbehaving” with the female wrestlers. The altercation led to detention while some wrestlers also sustained injuries.

May 4:SC closes proceedings on a plea by 3 women wrestlers, who levelled sexual harassment charges after noting that FIRs have been registered and the 7 complainants have been provided adequate security.

May 5: Delhi police record statements of wrestlers, who have filed complaints of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.

May 10: Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to take NARCO test.

May 11: Police records Brij Bhushan’s statement.

May 28: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with other protesters, booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty, while they attempt to march towards the new Parliament, being inaugurated by PM.

May 30: International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) condemn the police’s handling and detention of the Indian wrestlers, calling it “very disturbing.” Wrestlers arrive in Haridwar to immerse medals.

June 7: Protest halted after Thakur assures them that the police investigation against Brij Bhushan would be concluded and the pending WFI elections would be conducted by June 30.

June 8: Father of the minor wrestler tells PTI that they deliberately filed a false police complaint against WFI chief because they wanted to get back at him.

June 12: IOA appoints former J&K High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as returning officer.

June 13:WFI election scheduled for July 6.

June 15:Delhi Police files charge sheet before court.

June 19: IOA ad-hoc panel calls five disaffiliated State wrestling units for hearing on June 21.

June 21: The IOA ad-hoc panel reschedules WFI elections to July 11 after five disaffiliated state bodies, seeking voting rights for the polls, present their cases in hearing.

June 22: The IOA ad-hoc panel reduces Asian Games and World Championship selection to a one-bout contest for six protesting wrestlers.

June 23: Several coaches, parents of wrestlers demand withdrawal of exemption given to six wrestlers.

June 25: The Gauhati High Court stays WFI elections, scheduled for July 11, on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association.

July 18:Delhi court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan.

Bajrang and Vinesh get direct entries into the Asian Games.

July 19: Young wrestlers hit Hisar streets to protest against “unfair trial exemption”.

WFI election scheduled for August 7.

July 20: Many junior wrestlers, their parents and coaches reach IOA headquarters, demand withdrawal of exemption granted to Vinesh and Bajrang.

WFI election rescheduled for August 12.

August 11: Punjab and Haryana High Court stay WFI elections scheduled for August 12, following a petition filed by the Haryana Wrestling Association.

August 23: Wresting world body UWW suspends WFI for not conducting its elections on time.

December 5: WFI elections scheduled on December 21.

December 21: Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan loyalist, elected as the new WFI chief.

December 21: Bajrang and Sakshi hold press conference where the latter quit wrestling in protest against Singh’s election.

December 22:Bajrang returns Padma Shri in protest against Sanjay Singh’s election.

December 24: The Sports Ministry suspends WFI till further orders after the newly-elected body made a “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” to prepare.

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Sports Ministry suspends newly-formed Wrestling Federation of India led by Sanjay Singh

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BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with the newly-elected president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Sanjay Singh at the former’s residence, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Union Sports Ministry has suspended the Wrestling Federation of India body under the leadership of newly elected president Sanjay Singh. The Sports Ministry also asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc body to control and manage the affairs of WFI.

The Ministry announced its decision in an official release on December 24 citing hasty decisions by the newly elected body and that it has shown complete disregard for the existing rules and regulations.

May explore legal options, says Sanjay Singh

Reacting to the development, Mr. Sanjay Singh said the WFI will seek revocation of its suspension by explaining to the government that it has not flouted any rules while taking decisions and if the issue is not resolved, it may explore legal options.

“We are seeking time from the sports minister and request that the suspension be lifted. If the issue is not resolved through dialogue, we could explore legal options,” Mr. Sanjay Singh told PTI.

“We will explain that we have followed rules in taking decisions. We will present the proofs. Whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus. It was not my personal decision. 24 state associations had given affidavits and we have got emails, we have everything in writing,” the sports administrator added.

Sakshi Malik welcomes decision

Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik, one of the prominent faces of the agitation against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, welcomed the WFI’s suspension.

“It is the first step towards something good happening. I hope the government understands more for what cause we were fighting,” said Ms. Malik.

“If a woman federation president is there, it will be better for the safety of women wrestlers. It was a fight for sisters and daughters of the country,” she added.

Bajrang Punia, who had returned his Padma Shri medallion to the government on Friday in protest over the election Mr. Sanjay Singh as WFI President, said he won’t take back his award.

“Now that I have returned it, I am not going to take it back. The honour of our sisters and daughters is bigger than any award. All of you have seen what is happening,” the Tokyo Games bronze medal winner told PTI.

“I will think about taking it back only after justice is delivered. The matter is in court and we are waiting for justice,” he added.

Mr. Punia, Ms. Malik and Vinesh Phogat had accused Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually exploiting women wrestlers during his tenure as WFI president.

Mr. Sanjay Singh announced on December 21 that the U-15 and U-20 nationals would take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (U.P.) before the end of this year. Citing the announcement, the Sports Ministry said the announcement was against the the rules and a 15-day notice was required so that players could prepare.

The Ministry has written to the IOA to form the panel at the earliest.

“… Taking note of the compelling current situation arising out of the influence and control of the WFI’s former office bearers, serious concerns have arisen about the governance and integrity of the WFI,” said the letter signed by Tarun Pareek, under secretary to the Government of India.

“This requires for immediate and stringent corrective measures to uphold the principles of good governance in sports organizations, and thus, now it becomes incumbent on part of the IOA to to make suitable arrangements for the interim for managing the affairs of WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline do not suffer in any manner and the principle of good governance in the sports body do not get jeopradised,” he said in the letter addressed to IOA President PT Usha.

‘Haven’t terminated WFI’

“The new body has not followed the WFI constitution. We have not terminated the Federation but suspended till further orders. They just need to follow the due process and the rules,” a Sports Ministry official told PTI.

The source further explained the reasons for suspension.

“Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly-elected president of WFI announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI.

“As per clause 3 (e) of preamble of constitution of WFI, object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” said the Ministry’s source.

Embroiled in controversies

Mr. Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Mr. Brij Bhushan Singh, swept the polls and was elected president of the body with his panel winning most of the posts on December 21.

Soon after the elections, Ms. Malik, the Rio Olympic bronze medallist, announced her decision to retire from the sport in a dramatic announcement as she kept her shoes on the table. “We wanted a female president but that did not happen,” a teary-eyed Ms. Malik said.

Ahead of the elections, Mr. Punia and Ms. Malik had repeatedly requested Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to stop anyone associated with Mr. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from contesting the WFI polls.

Mr. Punia on December 22 announced his decision to return his Padma Shri award. “I am returning my Padmashree award to the Prime Minister. This is just my letter to say. This is my statement,” read a post shared by the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist wrestler on X, formerly Twitter.

Deaflympics gold medallist Virender Singh Yadav, better known as Goonga Pehlwan also decided to return his Padma Shri to the government on December 23, showing solidarity with the country’s top wrestlers who have objected to Mr. Singh’s election. “I will also return the Padma Shri for my sister and the country’s daughter. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am proud of your daughter and my sister Sakshi Malikkh,” Virender wrote on X.

(With inputs from PTI)

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