NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry, faced with the less than flattering optics around the country’s top wrestlers resuming their sit-in protest here on Sunday in the wake of the apathetic handling of their grievances, on Monday cancelled the elections of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), that were scheduled for May 7.
The ministry further directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc committee to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation and also manage day-to-day affairs of the WFI.
The ministry’s decision came after the country’s top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, resumed their sit-in protest here on Sunday and demanded the public disclosure of the findings of the oversight panel that had been constituted by the ministry to investigate the sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“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 reads.
“A transitory committee or Ad-Hoc Committee 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.
Following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against Brij Bhushan by the top wrestlers in January, the ministry had formed a six-member oversight committee headed by Olympic medallist boxer MC Mary Kom to run the affairs of WFI and probe into the matter.
The oversight committee “has ceased to exist” after it submitted its report to the government, thereby resulting to an administrative void, PTI reports.
The ministry has, therefore, asked the IOA to also make “suitable interim arrangements” for managing the affairs of the WFI.
“Since wrestling is an Olympic sport and WFI is an affiliate of IOA and taking note of the current situation of administrative void in WFI, it becomes incumbent on the part of IOA to make suitable interim arrangements for managing WFI so that sportspersons of wrestling discipline doesn’t suffer in any manner,” the ministry letter further read.
The ministry also disclosed that the Oversight Committee formed on January 23 by the government to inquire into the allegations has submitted its report.
“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.
Report mum on sexual harassment charges against Brij Bhushan
Pertinently, (and not surprisingly?), Indian Express reports that the preliminary report was silent on allegations of sexual harassment against the politically powerful Brij Bhushan and cited the absence of an Internal Compliants Committee (ICC) as well as insisting on a need for effective communication between the federation and sportspersons.
“The absence of a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013, and lack of an adequate mechanism for awareness building among sportspersons, for grievance redressal etc; need for more transparency and consultation between and Federation and stakeholders, including the sportspersons; Need for effective communication between the Federation and Sportspersons,” the report underlined.
Wrestkers move Supreme Court
inesh Phogat and seven other wrestlers moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking registration of an FIR against Brij Bhushan Singh.
Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia said on Monday that the protesting wrestlers are not affiliated with any party and called on all parties to 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.” Punia was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
PTI adds
The six-member Oversight Committee has wrestlers Babita Phogat and Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton player Trupti Murgunde, ex-SAI official Radhica Sreeman and former TOPS CEO Rajesh Rajagopalan as other members.
During WFI’s Emergency General Council and Executive Committee meeting at Gonda on April 16, Brij Bhushan had confirmed that he will not contest for the president’s post but hinted that he might look for a new role within the federation.
Brij Bhushan has already served as WFI president for 12 years, with three terms of four years.
He is ineligible to apply for the post again under the Sports Code.
