BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh addresses the media after the Sports Ministry suspended the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) physique for not following guidelines, in New Delhi, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Opposition leaders on Sunday stated the federal government’s choice to suspend the newly-elected WFI was not sufficient to give justice to protesting wrestlers and questioned why a loyalist of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was allowed to contest the election to the sports activities physique within the first place.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections had been held on December 21 with Sanjay Singh and his panel profitable the polls by large margins.
The sports activities ministry on Sunday suspended the WFI until additional discover after the wrestling physique made a “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” for preparations.
“By suspending the committee if BJP-led ministry thinks they are absolving themselves from not helping the women wrestlers, they are mistaken,” Sharad Pawar-led NCP’s nationwide spokesperson Clyde Crasto stated on X.
He stated the ministry’s actions had been a “farce”.
“Medal surrendered by Shakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia has mounted pressure on the Sports Ministry to suspend the recently held WFI election, its welcome but justice has not meted out to the victims,” Congress chief Udit Raj stated in a put up on X.
Congress chief Ranjeet Ranjan questioned Sanjay Singh’s election when he was generally identified to be the “right-hand man” of the previous WFI chief, in opposition to whom wrestlers made complaints of sexual harassment.
“All the players who made the complaint of sexual harassment knew he is Brij Bhushan Singh’s right-hand man. Was the government sleeping?” Ranjan stated.
“We can say this is the height of autocracy and an extreme insult to the sportspersons. Our players get medals for us and we can’t even ensure their safety,” she stated.
Samajwadi Party chief Fakhrul Hasan Chaand alleged the BJP is making an attempt to divert consideration from the outrage that was attributable to the election of Brij Bhushan’s loyalists.
“The issue is still there as the BJP is merely diverting people’s attention by suspending the WFI body when there is outrage among the women and athletes,” he stated.
BRS chief Okay. Kavitha, in the meantime, welcomed the choice.
“I welcome the Union Government’s decision of suspending the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) newly elected body,” she stated in a put up on X.
“Our wrestlers have brought pride to us, many women could dream of representing India on the global stage. They deserve a fair and transparent system. May this decision pave the way for a stronger future for Indian wrestling,” she stated.
The ministry additionally stated on Sunday that the brand new physique was working under the “complete control of former (WFI) office-bearers”, which was not in conformity with the National Sports Code.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh later stated he has “taken retirement” from the game and the newly-elected physique will now take cost as he has many extra duties to look into, together with subsequent yr’s Lok Sabha elections.
His feedback got here quickly after his assembly with BJP chief JP Nadda following WFI’s suspension by the Sports Ministry.
Several high wrestlers, together with Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, have levelled allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to Brij Bhushan and the case is being heard within the Delhi High Court. The former WFI chief has denied the allegations in opposition to him and claimed that he was being focused under a conspiracy by Congress leaders.
On Thursday, Sakshi Malik introduced her retirement at a press convention in Delhi in protest in opposition to Sanjay Singh’s election.
