Wrestlers' Protest News Live: Concerned UWW to appoint observer for WFI elections
THE TIMES OF INDIA | May 04, 2023, 10:33:57 IST
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Wrestlers' Protest News Live: Concerned UWW to appoint observer for WFI elections

"Concerned" about the ongoing turmoil in Indian wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalovic has demanded clarity on who is running the sport in the country, and in its response the WFI has complained of "government interference" in their matters. Lalovic shot a letter to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on April 28 and marked a copy to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and International Olympic Committee (IOC) official J Poivey.
17:06 (IST) May 01
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on Monday that all activity in the sport had come to a standstill in the last four months due to protests by the country's top wrestlers. The WFI chief added that he is ready to be "hanged" but wrestling activity, including national championships and camps, should not stop as it would be detrimental to the cadet and junior wrestlers.
16:35 (IST) May 01
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on Monday that all activity in the sport had come to a standstill in the last four months due to protests by the country's top wrestlers. The WFI chief added that he is ready to be "hanged" but wrestling activity, including national championships and camps, should not stop as it would be detrimental to the cadet and junior wrestlers.
15:25 (IST) May 01
Wrestling protest Day 9: Harish Rawat meets wrestlers
15:13 (IST) May 01
Former Indian Cricketer and congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu meets protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar
13:06 (IST) May 01
Navjot Singh Sidhu meets wrestlers as protest enters Day 9
11:03 (IST) May 01
Bajrang Punia
Bajrang Punia
10:29 (IST) May 01
The meeting of the Athletes Commission came two days after IOA chief PT Usha on Thursday came down heavily on the aggrieved wrestlers, saying they lacked discipline and their protest on the streets tarnished the image of the country
10:29 (IST) May 01
India's first individual Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and former India hockey team captain Sardar Singh are also members of the Athletes Commission, representing International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia respectively
10:29 (IST) May 01
Besides Mary Kom, other members of the IOA Athletes Commission are table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal (vice chairperson), Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, rower Bajrang Lal, fencer Bhavani Devi, hockey player Rani Rampal and former shot putter OP Karhana
10:29 (IST) May 01
Mary Kom was also the head of the Oversight Committee constituted by the Sports Ministry to probe sexual harassment and intimidation charges against Singh. That committee has submitted its report to the sports ministry earlier this month
10:28 (IST) May 01
The committee is yet to submit its report
10:28 (IST) May 01
It is learnt that Athletes Commission chairperson and Olympics bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom was not present at the meeting. She heads a seven-member committee formed by the IOA on January 20 to look into the allegations of sexual harassment made by the wrestlers
10:28 (IST) May 01
The Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association met on Saturday to discuss the ongoing protest by the wrestlers who have made sexual harassment and intimidation charges against Singh
10:28 (IST) May 01
The Athletes Commission of the IOA on Sunday recommended the national Olympic body to put systems in place to deal with issues of the players "with respect and dignity" in the light of the protest by top wrestlers of the country against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
19:50 (IST) Apr 30
Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, one of the prominent faces leading the wrestlers' protest in Delhi, on Sunday accused the media of supporting the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh more than the players. While celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat appealed to the media not to give Brij Bhushan a platform to speak.
15:43 (IST) Apr 30
Bajrang Punia on Twitter
Bajrang Punia on Twitter
14:54 (IST) Apr 30

This battle has gone beyond the athletes now as political parties have become part of it. From day one of the protest, I felt that this protest was politically motivated and not the voice of the athletes. They have been influenced by politicians. It is clear that these athletes are being used by Congress and other opposition parties. It's evident since the beginning that their (protesting wrestlers) motive is politics, not (my) resignation.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

14:53 (IST) Apr 30
Politicians such as Congress party's Priyanka Gandhi and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary, former Jammu and Kahsmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, Delhi government ministers Atishi Singh and Suarbah Bhardwaj have visited the protest site to extend their support to the athletes in the last few days
14:53 (IST) Apr 30
An FIR has also been filed against the BJP MP
14:53 (IST) Apr 30
The country's top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have been protesting since April 23, demanding criminal action against Singh for alleged sexual harassment and intimidation of seven wrestlers including a minor
14:53 (IST) Apr 30
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh claimed the athletes' protest at Jantar Mantar is being driven by the politicians from day one
14:50 (IST) Apr 30
BJP only interested in PM's 'Mann ki Baat,' not our girls' mann ki baat: Robert Vadra
14:10 (IST) Apr 30

Akhilesh Yadav knows the truth. We know each other since childhood. 80% of the wrestlers in Uttar Pradesh belong to families with Samajwadi Party ideology. They call me 'Netaji'. They say how their Netaji is.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh when asked that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav didn't go to the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar even when several Opposition leaders did

14:10 (IST) Apr 30

90% of the athletes & guardians of Haryana trust the Wrestling Federation of India. A few families & the girls who have levelled allegations belonged to the same 'akhada'...The patron of that 'akhada' is Deepender Hooda. You don't get justice from Jantar Mantar. If you want justice, you have to go to the Police, Court. They never did that until now. We will accept whatever the court decides.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

13:16 (IST) Apr 30
Delhi Police provides security to all 7 complainants after Supreme Court order
The police also contacted them regarding the recording of their statements. The statements are likely to be recorded soon: Delhi Police
13:14 (IST) Apr 30
Bhim Army chief Chadrashekhar Azad meets wrestlers as protest enters Day 8
11:59 (IST) Apr 30

As far as the conversation between the wrestlers and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, it was held in a closed room; I do not know anything about it.

Former India wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt

19:30 (IST) Apr 29
One of the prominent faces of the ongoing wrestlers' protest in the national capital, Vinesh Phogat on Saturday requested her cousin sister Babita Phogat not to 'weaken' the movement by the wrestlers against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The country's top wrestlers, including Vinesh, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, have been protesting since Sunday, demanding criminal action against Singh over alleged sexual harassment and intimidation. The Phogat cousins indulged in a war of words after Babita tweeted about Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to Jantar Mantar to meet the protesting wrestlers.
18:14 (IST) Apr 29
This is fight to save Indian wrestling, don't indulge in politics: Bajrang Punia

The wrestlers' protest in the national capital against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh seemed to have taken a political colour as politicians from across the country, farmers' and women's organisations joined to extend their support

16:34 (IST) Apr 29
"Those who love our country, whether they're from Congress, AAP or BJP and even if not affiliated with any party, must take off and come here to extend support to them (wrestlers) ... we will provide all the support to these athletes but I request Central govt to not cut off their water, electricity & other basic facilities": Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar
16:28 (IST) Apr 29
Delhi CM arrives at Jantar Mantar where wrestlers are protesting against WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and extends support
14:31 (IST) Apr 29
Oversight committee constituted to probe wrestlers' allegations has not reached any conclusion, says sources
The oversight committee constituted to probe the allegations levelled by wrestlers against Wrestlers Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has not reached any conclusion and the committee report has been submitted to Delhi police, said sources.

In the FIR registered by the Delhi police against the WFI President on Friday, the wrestlers have alleged that the WFI chief has sexually harassed them not only in the country but also during international events.

Delhi Police on Saturday said that it would soon record the statements of the victims.
12:45 (IST) Apr 29
The oversight committee that was constituted to probe the allegations levelled by wrestlers against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has not reached to any conclusion and the report of the committee has been submitted to Delhi police: Sources
12:25 (IST) Apr 29
Delhi police have registered one FIR under sections 354, 354(A), 354(D) and 34 of IPC. Copy of other FIR not provided to us (as it will be given only to the victim family): Narendra Hooda, lawyer of wrestlers
12:05 (IST) Apr 29
Delhi police will provide security to the wrestlers. A total of 7 players, including a minor, have complained to the Delhi Police against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Police will soon record the statements of the victims. It has been alleged that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has sexually exploited women wrestlers not only in the country but also abroad during international events: Delhi police
11:32 (IST) Apr 29

It is good that FIR has been registered. What will we get from the FIR? Will FIR get us justice? Delhi Police should have lodged an FIR on the very first day. Our on-paper fight has just started. Let's see what our legal team and coaches have to say. We are demanding that wrestling must be separated from politics and future of our women wrestlers should be secured.

Satyawart Kadian, Wrestler on FIR registered against WFI President Chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh

11:32 (IST) Apr 29
'Will FIR get us justice?' says Indian wrestler Satyawart Kadian
Indian wrestler Satyawart Kadian raised a question about whether FIR against the Wrestling Federation Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harrasment case is enough to deliver the justice that they have been seeking for the past three months.

While speaking to ANI Satyawart emphasized on the fact that the FIR should have been registered on the very first day. He further went on to state the demands of the wrestlers which is that wrestling must be separated from politics and future of women wrestlers should be secure.
11:23 (IST) Apr 29
'We do not support any political party,' says wrestler Sakshi Malik as they protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in Delhi
10:52 (IST) Apr 29
I have been saying from the beginning that some industrialists and Congress are behind this protest. This is not a protest by wrestlers: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
10:52 (IST) Apr 29
They (wrestlers) did not complain to any police station, sports ministry or federation for 12 years. Before their protest, they used to praise me, invite me to their weddings and take photographs with me, seek my blessings. Now the matter is with the Supreme Court and Delhi Police and I will accept their decision: WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
10:35 (IST) Apr 29
Every day they (wrestlers) are coming with their new demands. They demanded FIR, FIR was registered and now they are saying that I should be sent to jail and resign from all posts. I am MP because of people of my constituency and not because of Vinesh Phogat. Only one family and Akhara (are protesting) & 90% players of Haryana are with me: WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
10:19 (IST) Apr 29

Resignation is not a big deal but I am not a criminal. If I resign, it will mean that I have accepted their (wrestlers') allegations. My tenure is almost over. Govt has formed a 3-member committee and elections will be held in 45 days & my term will end after the elections.

WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

10:19 (IST) Apr 29
I am innocent and ready to face the investigation. I am ready to cooperate with the investigative agency. I have full faith in the judiciary and I respect the order of the SC: WFI chief & BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
I am innocent and ready to face the investigation. I am ready to cooperate with the investigative agency.  I have full faith in the judiciary and I respect the order of the SC: WFI chief & BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
10:03 (IST) Apr 29
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers reach Connaught Place police station in New Delhi
Delhi Police yesterday registered two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh following allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers.
09:12 (IST) Apr 29
I don't have any expectations from the PM, because if he is worried about these wrestlers, then why has he not talked to them or met them yet. The nation is standing with them and I am very proud that these wrestlers have raised their voices against such an issue: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi
09:11 (IST) Apr 29

No one is aware of what is there in the FIR which has been lodged. Why they are not showing it? When these wrestlers win medals we all tweet and feel proud but today they are sitting on road and not getting justice. All these women wrestlers struggle a lot to come to this stage. And I am not able to understand why the govt is saving him (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh)?

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi

09:08 (IST) Apr 29
"I have not yet received the FIR copy. I will speak once I've received the FIR copy," says Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President, Wrestling Federation of India
08:49 (IST) Apr 29
Delhi police yesterday registered 2 FIRs against MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Delhi police yesterday registered 2 FIRs against MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
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