Wrestlers Protest Live: Sports Ministry Suspends Secretary Of WFI Vinod Tomar
Wrestlers Protest Live Updates : Hello and welcome to ABP Live Wrestlers Protests LIVE blog for all the latest updates and breaking news on wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India.
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Wrestlers Protests LIVE Updates: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Wrestlers Protests LIVE blog for all the latest updates and breaking news on wrestlers protest against Wrestling Federation of India. Several wrestlers including Olympians and star wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia on Wednesday made claims of sexual harrasment against officials and coaches of WFI and lead a sit-in protest against the "dictatorship" of the national federation President, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Although the wrestlers did not specify the specifics of their complaints or demands, it was evident that they were dissatisfied with the manner in which Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also a Kaiserganj-based BJP MP, runs the WFI.
Around 30 wrestlers gathered at Jantar Mantar, including Bajrang, Vinesh, Rio Olympics medalist Sakshi Malikkh, world championship medalist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha, and Commonwealth Games medalist Sumit Malik.
Meanwhile, WFI President Singh denied the allegations and said that pressure was being created on some wrestlers to join the protest.
"97% of players are with the WFI. I'm hurt by the sexual harassment allegations. No player can bring those charges against me or chief coach. Pressure was created on some wrestlers to sit on dharna," he told the news agency ANI.
Following the development, The Union Sports Ministry sought an explanation from the Wrestling Federation of India over the allegations, said the Sports Authority of India, reported ANI. The Ministry has directed WFI to furnish a reply within next 72 hours into the allegation against it by the wrestlers, it added.
Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal also stepped in and joined the protest Wednesday.
"Olympian wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have brought laurels to the country, are forced to protest today. They say the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) President and coaches sexually exploit the players. Issuing a notice to the Sports Ministry and the Police to investigate the matter," she tweeted.
'Centre Heard All Players, Addl Secy Sacked....': Union Minister Anurag Thakur
The Centre has heard from all parties involved in the allegations levelled against WFI. A tournament was halted immediately, the Addl Secy was fired, and an oversight committee would launch an impartial investigation to clarify everything, news agency ANI reported quoting Union Minister Anurag Thakur. (ANI Input)
West Bengal | Centre has heard all the players pertaining to allegations levelled against WFI. A tournament was stopped immediately, Addl Secy was sacked and an oversight committee will begin an impartial probe so that everything gets clear: Union min Anurag Thakur in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/tbIEhpd7Mm
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2023
WFI AGM, Which Was To Start At 10 AM Today In Ayodhya, Has Been Called Off
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) AGM, which was supposed to start at 10 am today in Ayodhya, has been called off, reports ANI.
Centre Decides To Suspend All Activities Of WFI Until Oversight Committee Is Appointed
The GoI has decided to suspend all WFI activities until the Oversight Committee is properly established and takes over the day-to-day operations of the WFI. This includes the suspension of any ongoing ranking competitions as well as the refund of any entry fees collected from participants for any ongoing activities. (ANI Input)
Sports Ministry Suspends Secretary Of WFI Vinod Tomar
Ministry of Sports suspends Vinod Tomar, Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2023
(File pic) pic.twitter.com/SnM7Ltn6VS
Protest Has Some Personal, Hidden Agenda To Dislodge Current Management Of WFI: Federation
Protesters have acted more out of personal interest or under excessive pressure to smear and discredit the current sitting management of WFI. The protest has some personal as well as concealed objectives to unseat the current management of WFI. (PTI Input)
Protesters have acted more in personal interest or under undue pressure to malign and defame present sitting management of WFI: Federation
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 21, 2023
'No Scope For Arbitrariness And Mismanagement': WFI To Sports Ministry
There is no scope for arbitrariness or mismanagement in the WFI by anyone, including the President: WFI to Sports Ministry.
There is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in WFI by any one individually including President: WFI to Sports Ministry
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 21, 2023
'Allegations Are Baseless': WFI Asst Secy Vinod Tomar On Wrestlers' Protest
The allegations are baseless. There is nothing like that. It has been 3-4 days, and they still haven't produced any evidence. I have been associated with them for the past 12 years, and I haven't seen anything as such: WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar responds to wrestlers' protest and allegations, ANI reported.
The allegations are baseless. There is nothing like that. It has been 3-4 days, and they still haven't produced any evidence. I have been associated with them for the past 12 years, and I haven't seen anything as such: WFI Asst Secy Vinod Tomar on wrestlers' protest & allegations pic.twitter.com/J0uHUtyeXU
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2023
Sexual harassment allegations gravest, No compromise will be done, says Yogeshwar Dutt
"It's very serious, gravest is sexual harassment allegations. There can be no compromise in sexual harassment allegations. If it happened, it should be probed & accused be punished": Yogeshwar Dutt, a part of the 7-member IOA committee to probe wrestlers' sexual harassment allegations, said.
"Also, if the allegations are false, it should be probed why were they levelled and what was the motive behind this?" he added, as per ANI.
The Committee will prepare a report within 8-10 days after listening to both sides. We'll send the report to both the Sports Ministry & Home Ministry as well as to the Prime Minister, he informed.
Wrestlers End Protest After Govt Assurances, WFI Chief Sharan To Step Aside
The aggrieved grapplers called off their protest late on Friday night after getting assurances from the government that their grievances would be addressed, the first step of which was the stepping aside of under-fire Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya, decided to end their protest after a breakthrough was achieved during a second round of talks with union sports minister Anurag Thakur.
The wrestlers, some of the country's finest, have levelled allegations of sexual harassment and corruption against the WFI and its chief.
"It has been decided that an oversight committee will be formed. Names for which will be announced tomorrow. The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. It will thoroughly probe all the allegations be it financial or sexual harassment that have been levelled against WFI and its chief," Thakur said after the marathon meeting.
"Till the investigation is over, he (Singh) will step aside and co-operate with the investigation and the oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI," he added. This came barely few hours after the Indian Olympic Association had formed a seven-member committee, headed by M C Mary Kom, to probe the charges against Singh.
Olympic medallist Bajrang said, "We have been assured safety and security by the government because we were threatened by WFI president in the past. We did not want to take the route of protest, but we were pushed to the limit.
"This is an important year with the Asian Games and Olympic qualifiers lined up. So, after getting assurances from the government, we have decided to end the protest." "We are sure the committee will conduct an unbiased investigation. As far as our safety is concerned, the minister has assured that it is their responsibility." Besides legendary boxer Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the IOA panel includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav.
The committee also has two advocates -- Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra -- besides former shuttler Alaknanda Ashok, who is its vice chairperson.
The IOA decision was taken during the apex sports body's emergency Executive Council meeting, which was attended by the likes of Olympic champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar, along with IOA president PT Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey.
IOA Athletes Commission Member Shiva Keshvan was a special invitee in the meeting.
IOA president PT Usha has assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out by its panel to ensure justice. PTI
IOA Forms 7 Member Committee To Probe Allegations Of Sexual Harassment Against WFI Chief
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formed a seven-member committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Members are Mary Kom, Dola Banerjee, Alaknanda Ashok, Yogeshwar Dutt, Sahdev Yadav and two advocates: IOA pic.twitter.com/BjuyEbUHZu
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2023
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