Page 11 - Wrestling

Grapplers threaten to return awards; blame game erupts after scuffle

A blame game erupted between the Delhi Police and protesting wrestlers on Thursday over the late-night scuffle at Jantar Mantar here which also led to a political slugfest and a threat by the grapplers to return their medals and awards including Padma Shri to the government. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, closed the proceedings on a petition by women wrestlers accusing Wrestling Federation of India(WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, noting FIRs have been filed by the Delhi Police against him and that the seven complainants including a minor were provided adequate security. The court was also told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that statements of five complainants, including the minor, have been recorded under section 161 of the CrPC. Putting up a brave face after the apex court order, the protesting wrestlers said it was not a setback for them and they will continue their agitation till Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP, was arrested. As the protests at Jantar Mantar

When politicians joined wrestlers' protest its credibility eroded: Lekhi

Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi on Thursday said the credibility of the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar eroded after "discredited" politicians joined it. The wrestlers have levelled sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23 demanding his arrest as well as ouster from the WFI post. Various political parties, including the Congress and AAP, have lent their support to the wrestlers. Hours after a scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers and some police personnel late on Wednesday night, Lekhi in a press conference said the Centre was dealing with the wrestlers' issue "very sensitively" and pointed out that the matter was in court. "The government has a very sensitive approach towards the wrestlers and the women. We are very sensitive to this cause," said the minister. She added that two committees were formed, the case was before the

Wrestlers threaten to return medals, awards after scuffle with Delhi Police

Hurt by the boorish behaviour of the Delhi Police, protesting wrestlers on Thursday threatened to return their medals and awards including the Padma Shri to the government, saying these honours serve no purpose if they have to endure such humiliation. Around 11 pm on Wednesday, a scuffle broke out when the wrestlers were bringing in folding beds for sleeping and the on-duty police personnel began enquiring about that as rules do not permit bringing in such things at the protest site. Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik had claimed that they were abused and pushed by male police officers, leaving them in tears. Two wrestlers, including Sangeeta Phogat's brother Dushyant, suffered injuries. "If this is how the wrestlers will be treated, what will we do with the medals? Rather we will live an ordinary life and return all the medals and awards to the Indian government," Bajrang, an Olympic bronze medallist, told reporters on Thursday morning. Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang are all winners of K

Media is supporting Brij Bhushan more than players: Protesting wrestlers

The protesting wrestlers on Sunday accused the media of helping WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh more than the players, saying the newspersons should not give him the platform to speak. Accused of sexual harassment of women wrestlers, the Wrestling Federation of India chief has vowed to fight against the charges and claimed that the athletes' protest was politically motivated. The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs, including one under the POCSO act, against the BJP MP, who has completed 12 years as WFI president and is ineligible to become an office bearer again. "The media is supporting Brij Bhushan more than the players. You see his criminal records. Does any player, sitting here, or players from other sports, have criminal record?" Bajrang asked during a media interaction. The Tokyo Games bronze medallist sought to convey the message that it's more difficult to win an Olympic medal than becoming a Member of Parliament in this country. "The players win medals for the country, a

90% of athletes of Haryana trust WFI, says President Brij Bhushan Singh

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Sunday claimed that 90 per cent of athletes of Haryana trust WFI and said that "You don't get justice from Jantar Mantar."The Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. Top Indian grapplers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many other wrestlers are involved in the protest against the WFI chief."90pc 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," Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh told ANI.Singh said one cannot get justice from Jantar Mantar if you want it you have to knock on the door of the court."You don't get justice from Jantar Mantar. If you want justice, you have to go to the Police, Court. They never did ...

Delhi Police to provide security to wrestlers, record their statement

Sources in Delhi Police on Saturday said it will extend security to wrestlers party to the case against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was earlier booked under sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and section 10 of POCSO Act in two FIRs. The BJP MP has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers, and a minor girl. Police will now move to recording the statements of the seven complainants. According to the sources, one of the cases against him was registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code, while the other was registered under sections 10 of POCSO Act. The incidents mentioned in the FIRs allegedly took place between 2012 and 2022 at different places, including abroad, a source said. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Saturday a

Delhi CM Kejriwal supports protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar

Earlier on Saturday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the wrestlers protesting at the Jantar Mantar, where she accused the Centre of "protecting" the WFI chief

If I resign, it will mean that I have accepted their allegations: WFI chief

"They did not complain (of sexual harassment) to any police station, sports ministry or federation for twelve years"

Delhi Police files 2 FIRs against WFI chief, support for wrestlers grows

As the chorus of support for the protesting wrestlers grew, Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers. The First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on Friday. While the first FIR pertains to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under POCSO Act, the second was related to outraging modesty. After Mehta's submission, the country's top wrestlers, who have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh, rejoiced "the first step towards victory" but said they will continue their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds. The film and sporting fraternity and

Filing of FIR against Brij Bhushan is first step towards victory: Wrestlers

The protesting wrestlers rejoiced "the first step towards victory" as Delhi Police decided to file an FIR against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh but they will continue their agitation and demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that the FIR would be registered on Friday. The wrestlers, who have accused WFI chief of sexual harassment and intimidation, have been demanding that an FIR be filed since they resumed their agitation on April 23. "This is first step towards victory but our protest will continue," Sakshi Malik told reporters at Jantar Mantar, where they put up huge banners, with one of those listing all the ongoing criminal proceedings against Brij Bhushan. Vinesh Phogat said it took Delhi Police six days to file an FIR and they don't trust the probe agency. "It (Police) might file a lo

'I would wish for death...', says WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh amid row

The video comes amid fresh protests and sit-in launched by Indian wrestlers against Singh on allegations of sexual harassment and mistreating of athletes

Always wanted an impartial probe, wrestlers to present their case: Thakur

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the government gave ample chance to the protesting wrestlers to present their case before the oversight committee, and reiterated its commitment to an "impartial probe" into the charges against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Decorated wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are the three central characters in the renewed protests against the Wrestling Federation of India president, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers. "A few wrestlers are sitting in protest at Jantar Mantar. I have spent 12 hours hours with them -- seven hours on the first day and five hours the next day. I had listened to all their grievances, held a press conference at 2-2.30 at night, formed a committee after talking to them. "They had asked to add a member and gave Babita Phogat's name and we added her to the committee. There is nothing in our mind, we wanted an impartial probe," Thakur said at a press ..

Wrestlers protesting on streets tarnishing India's image: IOA Prez PT Usha

Coming down heavily on the aggrieved wrestlers, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Thursday said the grapplers protesting on the streets amounts to indiscipline and is tarnishing the country's image. Decorated wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi malik are the three central characters in the renewed protests against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation by the grapplers. "Wrestlers staging protest on streets amounts to indiscipline. It is tarnishing the image of India," Usha told reporters after IOA's Executive Committee meeting. The IOA also instituted a three-member adhoc panel, including former shooter Suma Shirur, Wushu Association of India chief Bhupendra Singh Bajwa and headed by a yet-to-be-named retired high court judge, to run the affairs of the WFI until a new body is elected. The IOA and the government had managed to placate the wrestlers

Brij Bhushan isn't hiding, will expose protesters' lies soon: WFI official

The Chief Justice replied that the court would also not want to do something unless there is some material

Please listen to our 'Mann Ki Baat': Protesting wrestlers to PM Modi

"Why are you not listening to our 'Mann Ki Baat'," the protesting wrestlers asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and sought his time to discuss the sexual harassment allegations against his party's MP and WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Country's top wrestlers resumed their agitation against the wrestling federation's chief on Sunday, three months after they ended their sit-in protest following the formation of an oversight committee to probe into the serious allegations. The Sports Ministry has not yet made public the findings of six-member oversight panel that submitted its report on April 5. The wresters on Wednesday said they are surprised that PM Modi felicitates them and clicks pictures with them when they win medals but now he has turned a blind eye to their plight when they are on road, seeking justice. "PM Modi sir talks about 'Beti Bachao' and 'Beti Padhao', and listens to everyone's 'Mann Ki Baat'. Can't he listen to our 'mann ki baat'? He invites us to h

IOA EC meeting on April 27 for actionable solutions on WFI impasse

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday said it will hold its Executive Council meeting on Thursday to look for "actionable solutions" to end the current impasse in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). IOA president PT Usha said the Olympic body decided to hold the meeting at the earliest after the sports ministry stalled the federation's election on May 7 and asked the sport's governing body to constitute an ad-hoc committee and conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation. As per the government directive, the ad-hoc panel will also manage day-to-day affairs of the WFI till the sports body gets a fresh Executive Committee. "In light of the letter received from GoI-MYAS, IOA undertakes the urgency of the matter. Our scheduled EC meet on 27 April will discuss & provide actionable solutions to the current impasse in WFI. IOA is committed to the betterment of our sportspersons & its sporting ecosystem," Usha tweeted. The ministry's decision came after the ...

All political parties can join, say wrestlers seeking action on WFI chief

As top wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here in the national capital demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Wrestlers back to protest at Jantar Mantar: Everything you need to know

India's star wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, returned to Jantar Mantar to protest on Sunday after a three-month hiatus

NCP wants Thakur, Irani to step in to resolve issues raised by wrestlers

Sharad Pawar's NCP said on Sunday that Union ministers Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani should step in to address the concerns raised by top wrestlers protesting here against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. "(Youth Affairs And Sports Minister) Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani must intervene immediately and ask the Delhi Police, which works under the Union home ministry, to take immediate action. If they cannot do this for people who have won laurels for our country, then what can common citizens expect?" NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto asked. India's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, returned to the protest site Jantar Mantar on Sunday and demanded that the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated sexual harassment allegations against Singh. The six-member oversight panel, headed by legendary boxer MS Mary Kom, had submitted its report in the first week of April but the government has not yet .

Nothing has been done so far to resolve our issues: Wrestler Bajrang Punia

The wrestlers had protested against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in January this year