Vijender Singh, India's first Olympic medal-winning boxer and a prominent advocate for wrestlers in their opposition to Brij Bhushan, expressed his opinion that the Central government should have taken decisive action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) much earlier.
Following the suspension of the newly elected WFI body by the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday, key athletes such as Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat welcomed the decision, considering it a "first step for the betterment of wrestlers."
Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh, responding to the suspension, remarked, "This has happened for the betterment of the wrestlers. We had been saying that this was the fight of the daughters and sisters. This is the first step."
The ministry's action was prompted by an announcement made by the newly elected WFI body, led by Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faces allegations of sexual harassment. The announcement pertained to the organization of Under-15 and Under-20 national competitions.
In an official statement released on Sunday, the Sports Ministry highlighted that due process was not followed in the announcement of the national competitions. The ministry pointed out that at least a 15-day notice was required for such events, a protocol disregarded by the WFI.
Sakshee Malikkh retired from wrestling on Thursday following Sanjay Singh's election as the WFI head. When questioned about her retirement in light of the recent developments, she stated, "I will tell you about the decision according to the federation that would be formed."
Vijender Singh, a vocal supporter of wrestlers against Brij Bhushan, expressed the view that the Centre should have taken decisive action against the WFI much earlier, stating on a social media platform, "They got the woman (Sakshee Malikkh) to quit wrestling, took away the man's (Bajrang Punia) Padma Shri, now they said that the federation has been canceled. They should have done this earlier."
Similarly, wrestler Geeta Phogat, while acknowledging that the decision was taken late, saw it as a "ray of hope" for wrestlers, expressing on a social media platform, "Even though it is late, a ray of hope has definitely arisen that the wrestlers will get justice!!!!"
Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia symbolically left his Padma Shri on the pavement of Kartavya Path in New Delhi as a mark of protest. In an interview, Bajrang Punia indicated his willingness to reclaim his Padma Shri Award if the government ensures the removal of Brij Bhushan and his close associates from the wrestling body.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat expressed hope that the next generation of wrestlers would not endure the challenges faced during Brij Bhushan's tenure as the WFI chief, stating in an interview, "Had we accepted defeat, women across the world, be it wrestling or in any field, would struggle to raise their voices. WFI should have people who should be good for wrestlers, especially women; we have been saying this from the beginning. I hope the things we have tolerated, others don’t have to. That’s our fight."
Sources indicate that the Indian Olympic Association is poised to appoint a new ad-hoc committee to oversee the daily affairs of the WFI. Additionally, there are indications that the Sanjay Singh camp may pursue legal action against the suspension of the WFI body.
