Wrestlers threaten to approach Supreme Court, seek support from all quarters

The protesting wrestlers on April 24, 2023 threatened to approach the Supreme Court of the country if an FIR is not lodged against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The protesting wrestlers on Monday (April 24) threatened to approach the Supreme Court of the country if an FIR is not lodged against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and also sought to mobilise nationwide support by appealing to khaps, panchayats and several other organisations to back their cause.

On a day when the Sports Ministry stalled the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election on May 7 and asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad-hoc committee to run day-to-day affairs of the federation, the protesting wrestlers said they have nothing to do with the polls and would continue to press for a proper investigation into the allegations that Singh sexually harassed women athletes.

Also Read | Wrestler Bajrang Punia on protest against WFI: ‘Nothing has been done so far to resolve our issues’

Admitting that they made a mistake by ending their protest three months back, the wrestlers, led by Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, said they were "manipulated" by certain people.

"We are not going to listen to anyone now. We will be the face of the protest but we will now be guided by our gurujans (elderly) and coach- khalifas (mentors). 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," said Vinesh.

"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 Sports Ministry stalled the WFI election, saying, “... 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.”