India's Top Wrestlers Temporarily Halt Protests as Government Promises Swift Investigation into Sexu

| 08 June 2023

India's prominent wrestlers, who have been staging protests in Delhi since April, have decided to suspend their demonstrations following assurances from a senior government minister regarding the investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the chief of their federation. The wrestlers, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, held talks with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, which lasted nearly six hours. Minister Thakur pledged that the police would conclude their investigation against Mr. Singh by 15 June.

In response to the minister's commitment, the wrestlers expressed their willingness to refrain from any further demonstrations until the investigation is completed. Moreover, the government has pledged to conduct elections for the executive committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by 30 June, ensuring that neither Mr. Singh nor his close associates will hold any position in the new panel.

Minister Thakur highlighted the importance of having the award-winning grapplers focusing on their sport rather than taking to the streets. "It is better for the country to have the award-winning grapplers on the mat than on the roads," he conveyed to The Indian Express newspaper after the meeting.

The wrestlers initiated their protests in January, temporarily calling it off when India's sports ministry stripped Mr. Singh of his administrative powers for a few weeks and promised an investigation into their grievances. However, the demonstrations resumed in April, with the wrestlers demanding Mr. Singh's arrest.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is not only the federation chief but also an influential Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the wrestlers' actions are politically motivated. Last month, as the protests intensified, the police cleared the protest site and briefly detained several wrestlers as they attempted to march towards the new parliament building. Consequently, cases, including charges of rioting, were filed against the athletes.

The disturbing visuals of the athletes being forcefully carried away in buses garnered significant attention, leading to criticism from prominent athletes and opposition politicians alike. Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport's international governing body, issued statements denouncing the treatment of the wrestlers and expressing concern over the lack of progress in the investigations against Mr. Singh.

Currently, the police have filed two cases against Mr. Singh, including one under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). However, Mr. Singh has argued that the law is being misused and, although questioned by the police, he has not yet been arrested.

Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, a member of the delegation that met Minister Thakur, conveyed the government's assurance that the police investigations against Mr. Singh would be completed by next week. However, Punia emphasized that if no action is taken by 15 June, the wrestlers would resume their protests.

The wrestlers' determination to hold those in power accountable for the alleged misconduct within their federation remains strong. While they have decided to temporarily halt their protests, their demand for justice and a thorough investigation continues to resonate within India's sporting community and beyond. The government's commitment to swiftly conclude the investigation by mid-June will be closely monitored, as the wrestlers eagerly await the outcome and hope for a resolution that restores trust and ensures a safe environment within Indian wrestling