Wrestlers' Protest: Sports Ministry calls off WFI elections in May; asks IOA to form ad-hoc committee

Sports Ministry on Monday announced that the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) proposed election on May 7 has been stalled and asked IOA to form an ad-hoc committee to conduct polls within 45 days.

The Anurag Thakur-led ministry sprung into action a day after the wrestlers restart their protest at Jantar Mantar. The sit-in came three months after the Union minister succeeded in calling off the first protest (in January).

Ministry directed IOA's ad-hoc panel to also manage the day-to-day affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) till the sports body gets a fresh Executive Committee.

The top wrestlers, meanwhile, said they have nothing to do with the WFI polls and would continue to press for a proper investigation into their allegations that WFI's former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sexually harassed women athletes. Earlier on Sunday, the wrestlers demanded the public disclosure of the findings of the oversight committee that investigated the allegations.

The sports ministry, however, didn't make any revelation on the findings of the Oversight panel or if they found merit in the sexual harassment allegations levelled against the former WFI president.

However, it did say in its instructions that according to the oversight panel findings, the WFI did not have a proper system to address such complaints and that transparency and communication between the WFI and the wrestlers is required.

"... it is understood that the election to the EC (of WFI) has been scheduled on 07th May 2023. In this regard, considering the current situation, it is expedient that the said election process should be treated as null and void, and fresh elections to the EC should be conducted under a neutral body/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 also revealed that the Oversight Committee, formed on January 23, now "cease 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 said.

"...need for more transparency and consultation between the Federation and stakeholders, including sportspersons. (And) need for effective communication between the Federation and the sportspersons." Admitting that they made a mistake by ending their protest three months back, the wrestlers, led by Olympians Vinesh, Punia and Sakshi Malik, said they were back then, "manipulated" by certain people.

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 said during a press conference.

Meanwhile, politicians cutting across party lines, visited the protest site, showing solidarity with the wrestlers.

Bajrang said, "We are not going to listen to anyone (mediators) now. We will be the face of the protest but we will now be guided by our 'gurujans' (elderly) 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 said.

"All we want is that the police files an FIR and investigates the matter. We are citizens of independent India and there are numerous channels to get justice. Won't we get it (justice) from anywhere?," she questioned.

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 began their protest in January, former wrestler and now BJP affiliate Babita Phogat had mediated between the aggrieved wresters and the government.

However, it seems that wrestlers are not happy with the way Babita, who was part of the government's oversight panel, conducted herself.

"Maybe she loves politics more than 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 always biased against us. Only the Supreme Court will get to know the identity 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."

-With inputs from PTI