Tag: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)

Wrestlers demand WFI

Wrestlers Demand Action Against WFI Chief

By LokMarg

As top wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here in the national capital demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia on Monday said that this time “all parties are welcome” to join them and they won’t back down till action is taken against the BJP MP.

This January, the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshee Malikkh among others had called off their protest at Jantar Mantar after being assured that a committee would probe allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against the WFI chief.
The star wrestlers said that they had filed a complaint at the Connaught Place police station on Friday (April 21) stating that seven female wrestlers, including one minor, were harassed and exploited by Brij Bhushan in his capacity as WFI chief.

“It’s been more than 48 hours since the complaint was made, but an FIR has not been filed yet,” Punia told ANI.

The ace wrestler said that this time they will not turn down anyone, and whoever wants to support their protest could come and join them.

“…This time, all parties are welcome to join our protest whether it is BJP, Congress, AAP or any other party…..we’re not affiliated with any party…,” he said.

Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) has issued a notice to Delhi Police to register an FIR on the issue

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also shared a photograph on her social media that indicated that the wrestlers had spent the night on the footpath. “Podium se footpath tak,” tweeted Phogat.

During their protest in January, Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat who had arrived to express her solidarity and join the protest of wrestlers was asked to leave the stage as protestors said they did not want to politicize the issue.

After holding talks with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers were persuaded to call off their protest in January. The sports ministry formed a five-member committee headed by Olympic medallist boxer MC Mary Kom to probe the complaints of the wrestlers.

However, ace wrestler Sakshee Malikkh alleged that even after multiple assurances, not a single demand was fulfilled by the Committee.

“A committee was formed 2.5 months ago and we were given multiple assurances. We waited for months for the report and not a single demand was fulfilled. Seven girls have a sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan still no action has been taken,” said Malikkh.

Malikkh further asserted that this time they would not deny any support from any political party.

“It was our mistake that last time when people wanted to support us we did not let them, we will not repeat the same mistake. This time everyone is welcome, any party can come and support us,” she said.

On Sunday, wrestler Vinesh Phogat broke down and asserted that the wrestling community will continue their protest “till we don’t get justice”.

“We will sit here day and night. Till the time we don’t get justice. We will sit here,” Vinesh Phogat said breaking down while speaking to media persons.

“It is about our safety and if we international medal-winning female wrestlers are not safe then who is safe? We are from a wrestling family and we are trying to save it till our last breath,” Vinesh said.

When asked about the working of the committee, Vinesh said that she is unaware of the working of the committee.

“We don’t know what the committee is doing. We are asking for justice and we came in front of the entire public to ask for justice and here we are again.”

On DCW’s notice to Delhi Police for reportedly failing to register an FIR in sexual harassment case of women wrestlers Vinesh said, “It’s been three months, and we haven’t got justice, that’s why we are protesting again. We demand justice, FIR has not been registered yet. We are grateful that DCW is supporting us.”

Top Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik, held a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this year, demanding that Brij Bhushan be removed from the head office and the Wrestling Federation of India be disbanded.

They had accused the WFI body and its chief of sexual harassment and mistreatment of wrestlers. (ANI)

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Plea In Delhi HC Against Wrestlers Who Protested Against WFI Chief

By LokMarg

A petition has been moved in Delhi High Court against players/wrestlers, who recently staged a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, levelling serious charges of sexual harassment against him, and coaches of the federation.

The plea alleged that the Protestors/Wrestlers have completely misused the sexual harassment laws by making them a mockery of justice. If any player had undergone sexual harassment, they must have acted in accordance with the law through police and courts etc.
Plea seeks direction for registration of FIR against players including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia etc for allegedly abusing the process of law by putting the WFI chief under extortion for making him resign.

Lawyer Sharikasnt Prasad after filing the plea stated that the petitioner in the matter is Vicky, who lives at 21, Ashoka Road, the official residence of Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and is working as his cook.

The plea further alleged that protestor players have crossed their limits to tarnish the reputation and dignity of the Brij Bhushan by publicly making serious allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

Recently eminent wrestlers including Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, protested in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar bringing allegations of sexual harassment against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Late Friday night, the aggrieved players/wrestlers called off their protest after getting assurances from the government that their grievances would be addressed and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was asked to step aside for four weeks.

During this period, an oversight committee will probe allegations of sexual harassment and financial impropriety against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. (ANI)

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Centre on Activities of Wrestling Federation

Centre Suspends All Activities of Wrestling Federation

By LokMarg

The Union government on Saturday decided to suspend all activities of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) until the Oversight Committee is formally appointed and takes over the day-to-day activities of the federation.

This includes the suspension of the ongoing ranking competition, and the return of entry fees taken from the participants for any ongoing activities.

The announcement follows a decision on January 20, 2023, by the government to appoint an Oversight Committee which will take over the day-to-day activities of the WFI.

The decision came shortly after the assistant secretary, WFI, Vinod Tomar, was suspended with immediate effect.

The suspended WFI official denied any communication regarding his suspension, stating that this news reached him through ANI when the news agency contacted him to get a reaction to this announcement.

“I did not know about this. I only learned through a call from ANI that I have been suspended. I did not get any prior information about this. I have not done anything wrong,” Tomar, told ANI on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, Tomar termed the charges against the federation’s president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh ‘baseless’. Speaking to ANI, Tomar said the wrestlers, who sat in a dharna at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and leveled allegations of sexual harassment and financial impropriety against the WFI president, have not produced any evidence to support their claims.

“The allegations are baseless. It has been 3-4 days (since the wrestlers sat in protest) and they still haven’t produced any evidence. I have been associated with them for the past 12 years and I never came across any such incident or allegation,” Tomar told ANI.

“The government of India is committed to ensuring the proper functioning of the WFI, and the Oversight Committee will help to ensure that all the complaints made against the Executive Committee of the Federation are enquired into and the Federation is managed in an efficient and transparent manner in the best interests of the sportspersons,” stated a release by the Union government on Saturday. (ANI)

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WFI Secy Vinod Tomar

First Head Rolls: Sports Ministry Suspends WFI Secy Vinod Tomar

By LokMarg

The Union Ministry of Sports announced the suspension of Vinod Tomar, assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday.

The suspended WFI official denied any communication regarding his suspension, stating that this news reached him through ANI when the news agency contacted him to get a reaction to this announcement.

“I did not know about this. I only learned through a call from ANI that I have been suspended. I did not get any prior information regarding this. I have not done anything wrong,” Vinod Tomar, told ANI on Saturday.

Tomar on Saturday termed the charges against the federation’s president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh ‘baseless’.

Speaking to ANI, Tomar said the wrestlers, who sat in a dharna at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and levelled allegations of sexual harassment and financial impropriety against the WFI president, have not produced any evidence to support their claims.

“The allegations are baseless. It has been 3-4 days (since the wrestlers sat in protest) and they still haven’t produced any evidence. I have been associated with them for the past 12 years and I never came across any such incident or allegation,” Tomar told ANI.

He added that the WFI president has stepped aside from his post pending the probe against him by the Union Sports ministry.

“He has stepped aside from his post till the ongoing investigation against him concludes. He hasn’t resigned but has distanced himself from the day-to-day affairs of the WFI, pending the probe,” Tomar added.

After getting guarantees from the government that their grievances against the WFI chief and other top office bearers would be redressed, the Indian wrestlers called off their protest late on Friday night.

After late-night parleys with the protesting star grapplers, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will ‘step aside’ from the day-to-day affairs of the WFI till the seven-member ‘oversight committee’ led by Olympian MC Marykom completes its inquiry into the allegations against him.

The probe committee has been given a mandate of four weeks to submit its report, the minister added. (ANI)

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Wrestlers Won't Tolerate WFI's Dictatorship: Punia

Indian Olympic Association Calls For Emergency Meet With Wrestlers

By LokMarg

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has called for an immediate meeting with the protesting wrestlers, who have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the WFI president and its coaches and mismanagement in the functioning of the federation, sources informed on Friday.

The meeting, as per the sources, will be held at 5.45 in the evening.
The IOA will conduct the meeting virtually with the wrestlers to discuss the allegations levelled by the ace grapplers as well as other complaints and demands they have put forward.

Saying they were fighting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Commonwealth Games gold medallist Bajrang Punia appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur to hear their demands.

Several ace wrestlers of the country, including Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Ravi Dahiya, are participating in the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which began on Wednesday.

Wrestlers have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the WFI president and its coaches and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation. They have also demanded a complete overhaul of the federation.

The WFI president Brij Bhushan Saran Singh has refuted all allegations and claimed he will expose the ‘political conspiracy’ in a press conference in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda today.

On Thursday some wrestlers had a meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur which stretched till early this morning.

However, according to sources the meeting remained inconclusive and the minister is likely to meet with grapplers again today at his residence.

Meanwhile, Vinesh, Bajrang, Sakshee, Ravi and Deepak on Friday wrote to PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the ‘sexual harassment’ complaints against WFI chairman Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

In a letter to the IOA president, the star grapplers accused the WFI chairman of sexual exploitation and financial irregularities. (ANI)

Wrestlers protest

Wrestlers Write To PT Usha On Complaints Against WFI Prez

By LokMarg

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, Ravi Dahiya and Deepak Punia on Friday wrote to PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association on “sexual harassment” complaints against Wrestling Federation India chairman Brij Bhushan Saran Singh.

In a letter to the IOA president Usha, the star grapplers accused the WFI chairman of sexual exploitation and financial irregularities.
The letter signed by Bajrang Punia, Phogat, Malikkh, Dahiya, and Deepak Punia’s demands the resignation of the WFI chief and the formation of an inquiry committee on the allegations of sexual harassment.

On Thursday several ace wrestlers of the country including Phogat, Mallikkh and Bajrang Punia participated in the sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, that began on Wednesday.

Wrestlers have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the WFI president and its coaches and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation. They demanded a complete overhaul of the federation.

Indian wrestler and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat on the first day of protest on Wednesday alleged that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

On the sidelines of a sit-in protest against the WFI near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Phogat on Wednesday said, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”

However, the WFI chief refuted the charges of sexual assault allegations made by the wrestlers against him on Wednesday.

Denying the claims by the wrestlers of their sexual assault, Singh said, “I read that the name of the chief coach has also been taken in sexual assault allegations. I also read that the reason for the players’ camp being held in Lucknow is so that they can be called at my home. I do have a home in Lucknow but I hardly reside there. My home is 120-130 kms away from Lucknow. All the sexual harassment allegations are false and I will commit suicide if they are found to be true. I tried to get in touch with the wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia but was unable to do so.”

Meanwhile, some wrestlers also had a late last night meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on the issue that stretched into the early hours of today.

Later in the day, under pressure to resign from his position over allegations of sexual exploitation of women wrestlers, WFI chairman Singh said he will “expose” the “political conspiracy” on Friday afternoon in a press conference.

Singh, who is also a BJP Lok Sabha MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, in a Facebook post said that he will hold a press conference at the Wrestling Training Centre in Nawabganj in Gonda district of the state. (ANI)

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Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

Serious Allegations, Will Meet Them: Anurag On Wrestlers Protest

By LokMarg

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the allegations levelled by wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are serious in nature and that he will meet the wrestlers once he returns to the national capital and listen to them.

Many wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Mallikkh, have levelled charges of sexual harassment of women wrestlers by the president and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation.
Thakur said he will meet the wrestlers and the required action will be taken.

“Government has worked for the welfare and upliftment of sports and players. India has won a lot of medals and delivered good performances at the global level. Work has been done to make federations better. Allegations levelled by wrestlers are serious in nature. Taking swift action, the Government of India sent a notice to WFI and sought a reply within 72 hours. Camp has been postponed. I will try to meet the wrestlers after I reach Delhi. We will talk and listen to them and take the required action,” Thakur to ANI.

Earlier in the day, champion wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat arrived at the protest site at Jantar Mantar in Delhi where wrestlers continued their sit-in protest for the second day demanding action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and other officials against alleged sexual exploitation of several athletes and “harassment of wrestlers by the WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations”.

“I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today,” Babita Phogat said after addressing the gathering.

Babita, who is a deputy director in the Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and a former wrestler had earlier tweeted, “I stand with all my fellow players in this matter of wrestling. I assure all of you that I will work to raise this issue with the government at every level, and the future will be decided the way players feel right.”

For the second day, Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh, and Vinesh Phogat, among others gathered at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi and were joined by other members of the fraternity.

Vinesh Phogat had previously alleged that coaches who are favourites of the WFI misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Vinesh, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth and Asian Games, alleged, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”

On Wednesday, taking cognizance of the protest staged by wrestlers, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games (CWG) medalists, the Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from WFI and directed it to furnish a reply within the next 72 hours on the allegations made.

The Ministry stated that if WFI fails to furnish the reply within the next 72 hours, the Ministry will proceed to initiate action against the federation in terms of the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Wednesday said that wrestlers, who made allegations of sexual harassment against coaches, should have approached the Federation with their names earlier.

The WFI president claimed that 97 per cent of wrestlers are with the BFI and those protesting were pressured into it.

He denied any incident of sexual harassment.

“There has been no incident of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself,” said the WFI president during a press conference.

He also said that he is ready for an investigation.

“Sexual harassment is a big allegation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation,” he added. (ANI)

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW)

Brinda Karat Asked To Step Down From Stage During Wrestlers’ Protest Against WFI

By LokMarg

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat who on Thursday arrived to express her solidarity and join the protest of wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India was asked to step down from the stage.

“Madam mike kisi ko nahi milega (we won’t give the mike to anybody),” said Olympian and 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia when he saw Karat and AIDWA Delhi President on the stage.
“Neeche uttar jayee (Please step down)… Request you to please step down from the stage and please do not make this into a political issue,” Punia who was addressing the wrestlers said after interrupting his speech.

He repeated the request a couple of times again.

Wrestlers have been sitting on a protest since yesterday against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and other officials alleging several grapplers have been sexually exploited for several years.

Karat accompanied by a colleague had arrived at the protest site to express her solidarity with the wrestlers.

Earlier in the day champion wrestler Babita Phogat who is now a part of the Haryana government had met the protesting wrestlers with a message from the Centre.

“I have assured them that the government is with them. I will try that their issues are resolved today,” Babita Phogat said after addressing the gathering.

Reacting to her remarks, Punia said, “Babita Phogat has come from the government’s side for mediation. We will speak with her and then give more details.”

He said that the wrestlers are fighting for their honor and right and added if they can fight for the country then they can also fight for their rights.

WFI President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Charan Singh, however, has refuted charges of sexual exploitation leveled against him.

The protest began on Wednesday shortly after Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat alleged that the WFI President and other officials had been sexually exploiting the wrestlers for years.

Other prominent wrestlers including Sakshee Malikkh are supporting Phogat and gathered for the protest.

“If we can fight for our country, then we can also fight for our rights. First of all, I thank all the players who have come here. And the statement that was given yesterday that only 3 per cent players are sitting here, but according to me all the players are here. You can imagine how strong the players are. And we raised our voice for our rights and are not going to bow down when we do not win,” Punia said.

“We wish that someday if any child comes in wrestling then he should not practice under some pressure,” Punia added.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal issued a notice to Delhi police and the Union Sports ministry on the matter.

The Union Sports Ministry had asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to respond to the allegations made by the wrestlers within 72 years. (ANI)

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chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing

WFI Prez Called Me ‘Khota Sikka’, Sexually Harassed Girls: Vinesh Phogat

By LokMarg

Indian wrestler and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat on Wednesday alleged that coaches who are favourites of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) misbehave with women and harass them. She also accused the wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing girls and calling her a ‘khota sikka’ after her defeat at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

On the sidelines of a sit-in protest against the WFI near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Phogat said, “Coaches are harassing women and some coaches, who are favourites of the Federation, misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed many girls.”

“After my defeat in the Tokyo Olympics, WFI president called me a ‘khota sikka’. The Federation mentally tortured me. I would entertain thoughts of ending my life every day. If anything happens to any wrestler, the WFI president will be to blame,” she added.

The protesting wrestlers further accused the WFI of interfering with their personal lives and exploiting them.

“When we went to the Olympics, we did not have physio or a coach. After we started raising our voices, we were threatened,” added another wrestler.

Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said the wrestlers want the management of the Federation to be sacked and replaced.

“We hope Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Amit Shah) will support us in our quest,” added Punia.

Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh and Vinesh Phogat led the protest at Jantar Mantar against the WFI, alleging “harassment of wrestlers by the WFI through its arbitrary rules and regulations”.

A 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Bajrang Punia said the wrestlers will not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship of the Federation.

“We would not tolerate the ongoing dictatorship,” Bajrang told ANI.

The first Indian woman wrestler to win a gold medal at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, Vinesh Phogat, expressed her displeasure with the Federation’s management on Twitter and other wrestlers including Bajrang and Sakshee also took to Twitter to raise their voices against governing body of the sport in the country.

“The players want self-respect as they prepare for the Olympics and other big events with full vigor. However, if the federation does not support them, their morale breaks down. But we won’t bog down anymore and will fight for our rights,” she wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Assistant Secretary, Vinod Tomar on Wednesday said he was not aware what ace wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia and others were protesting about.

He added that once the wrestlers approach the Federation, all the issues will be resolved and sorted out.

“Do not know what this is all about. However, we came to know from the letter to the WFI president that some wrestlers are sitting in protest. I have come to ask them about their problem,” Tomar told ANI.

Tomar stated that once the wrestlers formally approach the Federation, all issues will be sorted out.

However, he claimed the protesting wrestlers still haven’t taken the Federation into confidence about their issues.

“They have not yet told me what their grouse is. No issue has been raised with me or the Federation as yet,” he added. (ANI)

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