More than 5 months after the protesting wrestlers accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh of sexually harassment, the wrestlers have called off their protest ahead of Asian games and the World Championship trials.
In a statement shared, they have said that they will continue their battle in the court and not on the streets.
Delhi police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Singh on June 15th, booking him under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) of the IPC. The charges under the POCSO act against have been quashed following the statement of the minor wrestlers and her father.
Sakshi Malik has also added in the statement that the Wrestling Federation of India elections are to happen on the 11th of July and that they will wait for the government to implement its assurances in this regard.
Earlier Indian Olympic Association’s AD-HOC committee announced that the protesting wrestlers will have to compete in single bout trials, meaning one win will allow them to confirm their place.
Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt has spoken against this decision saying that this decision is against the young and upcoming wrestlers and would be exploitation of young wrestlers.
“Through media, I got to know that IOA’s ad-hoc committee has decided that protesting wrestlers would give a single trial to get eligible for the upcoming World Championship and Asian Games. This is absolutely wrong,” Yogeshwar Dutt told India Today.
“Why should only they get to take one trial? Why would other grapplers participate in 5-6 wrestling matches?” asked the wrestler.
The protesting wrestlers have criticised Dutt and have shared a photo of a letter saying that they only asked for additional time to prepare for the trials and requested Anurag Thakur to conduct trials after 10th of August 2023 and did not ask for a single bout trial.
