2023-06-01 23:30:00
2017 First Indian woman wrestler to win medal at Olympics gets married on April 2. The groom is an Arjuna award winning wrestler. Sakshi Malik-Satyawarth Kadian Marriage. There was one person who was more important than the witness’s father in the ceremony. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. It is no less that the president of the wrestling federation gets active for the wedding of two wrestlers. But it was Brijbhushan who performed the rites to be performed by the bride’s father. Witness Malik also testified that his position was that of his father.
Five years later, on January 18, Sakshi became the focus of the sporting world with allegations that Brijbhushan had molested her seven years earlier. Along with India’s best wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, he came to Jantar Mandir in Delhi to protest. Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and unnamed coaches made serious allegations of sexually exploiting and threatening women athletes. Brij Bhushan denied all the allegations. The Union Sports Ministry has sought an explanation from the wrestling federation and directed it to reply within 72 hours.
The very next day, the wrestlers held talks with the Sports Ministry. Although the government assured them that action would be taken, they were not satisfied. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister were asked to intervene and shut down all the state associations of the wrestling federation. Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur met the wrestlers in person. The wrestlers demanded the formation of an impartial committee to investigate. Thus the Supervisory Committee was formed. In a press conference with the minister on January 20, they said they were happy with the outcome of the meeting and would cooperate with the oversight committee for further investigation and proof of their allegations. The sports minister assured them that the Brij Bhushan Wrestling Federation would stay away from day-to-day operations until the probe is completed. This was done immediately. The wrestlers ended their protest. Six-time world boxing champion Mary Kom as chairperson, Yogeshwardat, Thripthi Murgunde, Commander Rajesh Rajgopalan and Radhika Sriman constituted the monitoring committee. The wrestlers demanded a member from their side. Then world wrestling champion Babita Phogat was included in the committee.
Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat announce their withdrawal from the Zagreb Open, the first ranking series of the year, on January 27. Despite being part of the government’s Targeted Olympic Podium Scheme and being given an out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 50,000 per month, the withdrawal four days before the competition was disappointing. The supervisory committee heard the complaints of women wrestlers. The monitoring committee summoned Brij Bhushan Saran and other witnesses mentioned by the wrestlers in their statements. The Sports Ministry has extended two weeks to the monitoring committee.
Despite the monitoring committee’s inquiry and things going according to their demands, India’s top wrestlers including Bajrang, Vinesh, Ravi and Sakshi decided to skip the Ibrahim Mustafa tournament, the second ranking series of the year. Wrestling’s global body has stripped India of its hosting rights for the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championship. Many young wrestlers missed the opportunity to witness the global event on Indian soil. The event, which was scheduled to be held in Delhi from March 28 to April 2, has been shifted to Astana, Kazakhstan. The sports ministry approved Bajrang and Vinesh’s request for an international training camp on March 21. Bajrang was allowed to train in Kyrgyzstan for 16 days. Vinesh was allowed to train for 11 days at the Olympic preparation center in Spala, Poland. Despite completing all formalities for both the trips, Vinesh and Bajrang did not go for training. Vinesh said they decided to skip the overseas tour because they felt the developments in their complaints once morest the Wrestling Federation were important.
The absence of India’s latest wrestling Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, has been a setback. All three skipped trials and did not qualify for the event. On 23 April Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, his wife Sangeeta Phogat and Sakshi Malik once more reached Jantar Mandar to continue their protest once morest Brij Bhushan. A fresh allegation has also been made that Brij Bhushan sexually assaulted seven female wrestlers, including a minor. A complaint was filed at the Delhi Police Station but no FIR was filed. The law states that a person can be arrested in a POCSO case only if a complaint is filed within 24 hours. The law took its course as the complaint was of molestation years ago.
The Ministry of Education has written to association president PT Usha stating that the elections of the wrestling federation will be held on May 7 and till then, the task will be held by a temporary committee appointed by the Indian Olympics Associate. Usha also said that the IOA Executive Council will meet on April 27 to discuss the future course of action. The Supreme Court on April 25 agreed to hear the petition filed by the wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR once morest Brij Bhushan. The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that the allegations are serious and need to be considered by the court. Once the FIR was filed, the demand was once more changed. Brij Bhushan wanted to be arrested without investigation. He should be removed from all posts including MP. The strike will stop only if he is jailed. The protesters did not consider the fact that no one can be punished without a proper investigation.
The Indian Olympics Associates formed a three-member committee to manage the day-to-day affairs of the wrestling federation and hold elections within 45 days. PT Usha created controversy by saying that it is not good for sports and it will spoil the reputation of the country if the players go on strike in the streets. Political leaders including AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi came to Jantar Mandar to support the wrestlers. Brinda Karat, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Navjot Singh Sindhu, Kumari Sailja, Saurabh Bhardwaj… came in support. The politics behind the struggle, which had been said to have no politics till then, began to emerge.
On May 4, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed by women wrestlers once morest Brij Bhushan and asked the wrestlers to approach the lower court. Wrestlers invite khap panchayats to join the strike saying they have no faith in the Supreme Court. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait joins wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. On May 23, wrestlers hold a candlelight march. Khap leaders participated in the protest. May 28 is the inauguration day of the new Parliament. Wrestlers are planning a march and protest in front of the new parliament. The Delhi Police are forced to take action once morest the wrestlers and detain them. On May 30, the fourth anniversary of the second Modi government, the wrestlers are heading to Haridwar, announcing that they will throw their medals in the Ganges. Waited for an hour following it was announced that it would be poured at 6 pm. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait intervenes. Asking for 5 days to resolve the issue. The protestors agreed to wait for 5 days and returned.
If you look at the history of wrestling so far, it is clear that there is a foul somewhere. The fact that the torture that took place seven years ago was hidden for so long is not the only thing that raises doubts. In January, the wrestlers demanded an impartial investigation. The first requirement changed when the oversight committee was formed and the matter was investigated. He did not leave Jantar Mandar without registering an FIR once morest Brij Bhushan. Delhi Police is not trusted. He said that he has faith only in the Supreme Court. When the FIR was filed by the Delhi Police, Brij Bhushan did not back down from the strike without jailing him. The stars are not unaware of the fact that no one can be punished without proper investigation. On the day of the inauguration of the new Parliament building, riots in Delhi. Medal flow drama in Ganga on Central Govt.’s anniversary day. It is clear that there is more than just foul play and a bigger plan behind the wrestlers’ game outside the ring. It is also very clear who it is intended to knock down.
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