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Many Wrestlers had been protesting, demanding the removal of the Chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhusan Sharan Singh, an MP of BJP, accusing him of sexual harassment and intimidation of the women wrestlers. Despite the continuous protest by the Wrestlers fraternity of both gender no concrete action was initiated against him by the ruling BJP.
During the course of the protest, the Federation was dissoluted and election to the functionaries was announced and held. Sanjan Singh a close associate of Brij Bhusan was elected as President. The protest did not subside but continued. The Union Ministry of Sports suspended the new functionaries of the Federation owing to non-adherence of certain procedures in the election process. At present, the entire administration of the Federation is entrustedto a 3 – Member committee.
Since the Ministry has not acted on the demand made by the Wrestlers, the various Awards given by the Union government are being discarded by sports persons.
Vinesh Phogat, the Asian and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Women Wrestler is the latest to return the Major Dhyan Chand Kel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award that were conferred on her. The wrestlers who had surrendered earlier their Awards were Bajrang Punia, Virendar Singh. The adamant nature on the part of the Union Ministry of Sports continues and no concrete, convincing settlement is arrived at!
