In a significant development, the prolonged standoff between wrestlers and the government over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation by the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has shown signs of resolution. Wrestlers have agreed to pause their protest until June 15 following talks led by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who assured them that a chargesheet in the case would be filed by the Delhi Police before the specified date.
The six-hour-long meeting between Anurag Thakur and a delegation of wrestlers, spearheaded by Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, resulted in several key agreements. It was decided that Singh or his close associates would have no role in the new WFI body, which is expected to be formed by the end of this month through an election scheduled for June 30. Additionally, the wrestlers would be consulted in the appointment of office-bearers for the new WFI.
Expressing his views after the meeting, Anurag Thakur emphasized the importance of having the award-winning grapplers back on the mat rather than on the streets. He described the atmosphere during the talks as congenial and stated that all the issues were agreed upon through consensus.
Bajrang Punia cautioned that the protest could be resumed if the government fails to fulfill its commitments. He highlighted the government’s assurance of completing the police investigation before June 15 and their agreement to withdraw all First Information Reports (FIRs) against the wrestlers. Should the government fail to take action by the specified date, the wrestlers vowed to continue their protest.
Prior to the meeting with Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers had a midnight discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which set the stage for the subsequent talks. Notably, this was the third meeting between the wrestlers and the government within a span of two weeks, but the first one publicly initiated by the government itself. Responding to one of the wrestlers’ demands for transparency, Anurag Thakur extended an invitation for the talks via a tweet, signaling the government’s willingness to discuss their issues openly.
During the meeting, the wrestlers also raised concerns about their return to the mat and participation in the selection trials for the World Championships and the Asian Games, both scheduled for September and October. As a result, the trials are likely to be postponed to allow sufficient preparation time.
While the government and wrestlers found common ground on most contentious issues, the wrestlers declined to issue a joint statement or hold a joint press conference with the Sports Minister. Nevertheless, the government agreed to provide police protection to the complainants and agreed to the formation of an Internal Complaints Committee, as mandated by the POSH law, headed by a woman.
Sakshi Malik shared that the wrestlers were informed about the completion of the police investigation by June 15, during which time they were requested to suspend their protest. Furthermore, the Delhi Police assured the withdrawal of the FIRs filed against the wrestlers on May 28.
The allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against the WFI president, filed on April 21 by seven female wrestlers (including a minor) at Delhi’s Connaught Place police station, have now led to concrete steps being taken towards resolving the matter. With the police investigation progressing and assurances given by the government, there is hope for a fair resolution that addresses the wrestlers’ concerns and ensures a safer environment within the wrestling community.
