WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh will step down from the post till the completion of the investigation
The two-day-long sit-in by wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has come to an end.
The demonstration of wrestlers, which has been going on in Delhi's Jantar Mantar since the past, has come to an end. There was a late-night meeting between Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and the wrestlers. After this, the wrestlers ended their performance. Wrestler Bajrang Punia said that the Union Sports Minister listened to our demands and assured proper investigation. In the first step to resolving the grievances of the wrestlers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who came under attack, has been removed from the post of President.
Wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya, among others, have called off their sit-in after the second round of talks with the Union Sports Minister ended the impasse. Along with this, a committee has been announced which will submit its report in 4 weeks. Until the investigation is completed, the committee will also look after the work of the wrestling association.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia said that the Union Sports Minister listened to our demands and assured proper investigation. I thank them and we hope that there will be a fair investigation, so we are withdrawing the protest. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the current president of the wrestling association, will stay away from the work of the association till the probe is completed and will cooperate in the investigation.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said after the marathon meeting that it has been decided to form a monitoring committee whose names will be announced today. This committee will complete the investigation in four weeks. The committee will seriously investigate all allegations of financial or sexual harassment against the WFI and its president.
Let us tell you that many wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malika and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan of sexual harassment and intimidation.