Amid the continuing protests by star Indian wrestlers to combat the alleged wrongdoings by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharaj Singh, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha has slammed the athletes. Usha met the press on Thursday and spoke on the continuing tussle between the wrestlers and the affiliation’s chief Singh. Without taking any aspect, Usha mentioned that wrestlers are solely tarnishing the picture of the nation by protesting within the streets.
Also Read | WFI Sexual Harassment Case: Wrestlers Say No One Is Above Law Amid Fresh Stir Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Usha feels that wrestlers might have taken one other route to place ahead their calls for. She mentioned that protests will set a nasty precedent and results in indiscipline. “These protests are tarnishing the image of the country. There are other ways to put your point across. They could’ve approached the athletes commission. This sets a bad precedent and amounts to indiscipline,” Usha was quoted as saying by PTI.
#WrestlersProtest __ pic.twitter.com/7N2AoYmhd0
— Bajrang Punia __ (@BajrangPunia) April 27, 2023
Led by Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, wrestlers started one other protest demanding the federal government to make public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations towards Singh. The wrestlers had additionally accused Singh for intimidating junior wrestlers. They had additionally accused Delhi Police of not submitting FIR towards Singh.
Three-member adhoc panel to run WFI
With the wrestling physique’s affairs affected, the IOA has fashioned a three-member adhoc panel to run the affiliation. It consists of former shooter and Olympian Suma Shirur in addition to Wushu Association of India boss Bhupendra Singh. The third member of the panel shall be retired excessive court docket choose whose title is but to be finalised.
Supreme Court issued discover to Delhi Police
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, showing for the Delhi Police, instructed the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that if the highest court docket felt that an FIR was to be lodged right away, it could be completed. “We, prima facie feel, that there was a need to conduct a preliminary investigation before the registration of the FIR,” the highest regulation officer mentioned.
The prime court docket on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on a plea by seven girls wrestlers searching for registration of an FIR towards the WFI president over allegations of sexual harassment, saying the matter is “serious” and requires its consideration.
