The protesting wrestlers on Monday threatened to method the highest courtroom of the nation if an FIR isn’t lodged in opposition to WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at the same time as Sports Ministry stalled the Federation’s election on May 7 and requested the IOA to type an ad-hoc committee to conduct polls.
The ad-hoc panel, which is able to conduct elections inside 45 days of its formation, can even handle day-to-day affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) until the sports activities physique will get a recent Executive Committee.
The prime wrestlers mentioned they don’t have anything to do with the WFI polls and would proceed to press for a correct investigation into their allegations that Singh sexually harassed ladies athletes.
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The ministry’s resolution got here after the nation’s prime wrestlers, together with Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday and demanded the general public disclosure of the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the allegations.
The ministry instructed the IOA to type an ad-hoc panel however didn’t reveal if the oversight panel discovered benefit within the sexual harassment allegations.
However it did say in its directions that in accordance to the oversight panel findings, the WFI didn’t have a correct system to tackle such complaints and that transparency and communication between the WFI and the wrestlers is required. “… it’s understood that the election to the EC (of WFI) has been scheduled on 07th May 2023. In this regard, contemplating the present state of affairs, it’s expedient that the mentioned election course of needs to be handled as null and void, and recent elections to the EC needs to be performed underneath a impartial physique/Returning Officer,” a ministry letter to IOA president PT Usha said.
“… a transitory committee or Ad-Hoc Commitee may be constituted by the IOA to conduct the election of the Executive Council of WFI within 45 days of its formation and to manage the affairs of WFI, including selection of athletes and making of entries for the participation of sportspersons in international events for the interim period till the next EC takes charge,” the letter added.
The ministry additionally revealed that the Oversight Committee, shaped on January 23, now “stop to exit”.
“The OC has submitted its report to the Ministry and is currently under examination. Some major findings include absence of a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 and lack of adequate mechanism for awareness building among sportspersons for grievance redressal,” the ministry mentioned.
“…want for extra transparency and session between the Federation and stakeholders, together with sportspersons. (And) want for efficient communication between the Federation and the sportspersons.” IOA president PT Usha said they will discuss the matter on April 27 at their Executive Committee meeting.
“Our scheduled EC meet on 27 April will discuss & provide actionable solutions to the current impasse in WFI. IOA is committed to the betterment of our sportspersons & its sporting ecosystem,” Usha tweeted.
Admitting that they made a mistake by ending their protest three months again, the wrestlers, led by Olympians Vinesh, Punia and Sakshi Malik, mentioned they have been again then, “manipulated” by sure individuals.
Sakshi said their legal team was contemplating approaching the apex court.
“We will go to the Supreme Court. If we are wrong in levelling the allegations, then a counter FIR should be filed against us,” the Olympic bronze medallist mentioned throughout a press convention.
Meanwhile, politicians chopping throughout occasion strains, visited the protest web site, displaying solidarity with the wrestlers.
Bajrang mentioned, “We will not be going to pay attention to anybody (mediators) now. We would be the face of the protest however we’ll now be guided by our ‘gurujans’ (aged) and ‘coach-khalifas’ (mentors).” Vinesh said it was a mistake to end the protest the last time around.
“We will not accept any mediator now, we won’t let anyone deceive us,” she mentioned.
“All we would like is that the police recordsdata an FIR and investigates the matter. We are residents of unbiased India and there are quite a few channels to get justice. Won’t we get it (justice) from wherever?,” she questioned.
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The wrestlers have claimed that they had approached Connaught Place Police Station officers to lodge an FIR against the WFI president but the cops refused to entertain their plea.
While Sakshi said they were manipulated, Bajrang also said that they want ‘khaps’ and other organisations to support their stir.
“We wanted to keep it (protest) apolitical the last time around but now, we want the farmers’ organisations, the women’s organisation, the ‘khaps’ to support us.” When wrestlers had started their protest in January, former wrestler and now BJP affiliate Babita Phogat had mediated between the aggrieved wresters and the federal government.
However evidently wrestlers will not be pleased with the best way Babita, who was a part of the federal government’s oversight panel, performed herself.
“Maybe she loves politics greater than the wrestling now,” Vinesh said, while taking a jibe at her cousin sister.
Asked if they would reveal the names of the victims, Vinesh said,”The oversight committee was all the time biased in opposition to us. Only the Supreme Court will get to know the id of the victims, not Brij Bhushan.” Vinesh also said that it benefits only Brij Bhushan that he is an MP from BJP, the party that is currently running the central government.
“Definitely it helps. We don’t know if the government is under pressure (from party MP).”
Bajrang added,”You should ask the government why is it quiet? When we win medals for the country, we are felicitated and now that we are on road with our demands, no one is bothered.”
On being questioned whether or not they really feel it has develop into a battle of two states, Haryana from the place most wrestlers hail and Uttar Pradesh, the land of WFI supremo, Bajrang shot again, “When we win medals for the nation, we’re often known as Indian sportspersons. And now after we are combating for justice, individuals label it as UP vs Haryana battle. They (Brij Bhushan) have cash and muscle energy however we’ve got reality on our facet.”
Asked if they presented solid evidence before the probe panel, Vinesh said, “I can give you example. Brij Bhushan had called a woman wrestler in his room and tried to impose himself on her, is this not sexual harassment?.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
