The top wrestlers ended their protest late night on Friday after government assured them that their demands will be fulfilled with the first step being the resignation of the president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The protesting wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Ravi Dahiya called off the movement after a point of harmony was achieved in the second round of meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
The athletes have put up serious allegations of sexual harassment and mismanagement of funds against the WFI Chief Brij Bhushan.
“It has been decided that an oversight committee will be formed. Names for which will be announced tomorrow. The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. It will thoroughly probe all the allegations be it financial or sexual harassment that have been levelled against WFI and its chief,” said the sports minister.
“Till the investigation is over, he (Singh) will step aside and co-operate with the investigation and the oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI,” he further said.
This development came just a few hours after a seven member committee was formed by the Indian Olympic Association under the supervision of MC Mary Kom to investigate the allegations against WFI Chief.
“We have been assured safety and security by the government because we were threatened by WFI president in the past. We did not want to take the route of protest, but we were pushed to the limit, ” said Olympics medalist Bajrang Punia.
Soon after the government assurance, the wrestlers said, “This is an important year with the Asian Games and Olympic qualifiers lined up. So, after getting assurances from the government, we have decided to end the protest.”
“We are sure the committee will conduct an unbiased investigation. As far as our safety is concerned, the minister has assured that it is their responsibility, ” they further said.
Along with legendary boxer Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, the seven member panel of Indian Olympic Association also includes Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) Chief Sahdev Yadav and Archer Dola Banerjee.
