Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik addressing the media throughout their protest on Monday.
| Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
The protesting wrestlers seeking action against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have determined to go to the Supreme Court, insisting they received’t quit until an official FIR is registered even because the Sports Ministry on Monday sought the formation of an ad-hoc committee as an interim measure.
The wrestlers together with Olympic champions Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian champion Vinesh Phogat have accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment.
This is the second time they’ve sat on protest after doing so in January this 12 months, when the Ministry fashioned an six-member Oversight Committee to look into the allegations.
On Monday, the Ministry wrote to the IOA suggesting postponement of the upcoming elections (scheduled for May 7) and structure of an Ad-Hoc committee as an interim association “…to conduct the election to the Executive Committee of the WFI within 45 days of its formation and to manage the affairs of the WFI, including selection of athletes and making of entries for participation in international events…”. But the wrestlers will not be impressed.
False guarantees
“We will not believe these false promises. Earlier also they made a committee but those close to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh were only running the federation. No FIR has been registered for three days, we want the court to look into that also and proper investigation to be done into our complaints,” Vinesh mentioned. Their petition is anticipated to come up for consideration on Tuesday.
The Ministry’s ‘suggestion’ to the IOA additionally talked about the most important findings of the Oversight Committee: Absence of an Internal Complaints Committee and lack of ample mechanism for consciousness constructing and grievance redressal; want for extra transparency and session between federation and sportspersons; want for efficient communication between the stakeholders; there was no point out of the precise expenses against Singh.
‘Biased’
“The committee was biased from the start. If the committee has not found anything then let them register an FIR against us but let everything be made public,” Sakshi mentioned, including, “he is getting an advantage because he is an M.P. from BJP. He has the power of money but we have the power of truth.”
The wrestlers, nevertheless, admitted that the help this time from their fraternity was muted., claiming they had been afraid of their personal careers, dismissing Babita Phogat’s presence on the committee as being politically inclined.
SAI Deputy Director General Shiv Sharma met the wrestlers for greater than an hour late at evening. “I have talked to them and will convey their views to the ministry. I hope things will be sorted out soon. I will come again tomorrow to talk and find a way out,” Sharma mentioned earlier than being interrupted by Vinesh seeking FIR registration as the first concern.
Interestingly, the ministry has ‘requested’ the IOA and avoided instantly instructing the WFI on elections which might have been construed as authorities interference within the administration of a recognised federation
